Illustration of overall
- overall 1b
over·all
ˌō-vər-ˈȯl 
1
: all over sense 1
the pattern used overall
2
: from one end to the other
600 feet long overall
3
a
: in view of all the circumstances or conditions
overall, the sale was a success
b
: as a whole : generally
doesn't do as well overall
overall and in most of its detail the film has remarkable power—
Time
Time
c
: with everyone or everything taken into account
was third overall in earnings
got 31 miles to the gallon overall
over·all
ˈō-vər-ˌȯl
1
a
b
usually overalls
: trousers of strong material usually with a bib and shoulder straps
2
chiefly British
: a loose-fitting protective smock worn over regular clothing
over·all
ˌō-vər-ˈȯl
ˈō-vər-ˌȯl
ˈō-vər-ˌȯl
1
: including everything
2
: viewed as a whole : general
Examples of overall in a Sentence
Adverb
He made a few mistakes but did well overall.
Overall, the project was successful.
Adjective
your overall score after two rounds
His mistake didn't change my overall impression of him.
Your overall health is sound.
She likes the overall quality of the product.
The scratch didn't affect the car's overall appearance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Beyoncé’s winning night at the Grammys also vaulted her into third place among the top women overall in the awards season — impressive in itself, given that the music industry’s biggest night was the only awards show the superstar attended.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 7 Mar. 2025
On top of that, three of the first four picks have been quarterbacks in three of the last four NFL Drafts:
The Jaguars took Trevor Lawrence No. 1 overall in 2021, followed by the Jets picking Zach Wilson No. 2 and the Niners selecting Lance at No. 3.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Watkins was a raw, though scratchy, wide forward, prolific at youth team level but erratic in his overall game.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Chu's main input was slowing down the song's pacing overall, leaning into the melancholy of the moment.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Beyoncé’s winning night at the Grammys also vaulted her into third place among the top women overall in the awards season — impressive in itself, given that the music industry’s biggest night was the only awards show the superstar attended.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
Jeans with peel-away constructions, short-shorts and skinny overalls with a micro bib were among the label’s boldest denim looks.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 7 Mar. 2025
On top of that, three of the first four picks have been quarterbacks in three of the last four NFL Drafts:
The Jaguars took Trevor Lawrence No. 1 overall in 2021, followed by the Jets picking Zach Wilson No. 2 and the Niners selecting Lance at No. 3.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
What do these cuts mean for the millions of students who rely on federal financial aid, the schools that depend on federal funding, and the overall health of the U.S. education system?
—Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Watkins was a raw, though scratchy, wide forward, prolific at youth team level but erratic in his overall game.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
Cite this Entry
“Overall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overall. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overall
1 of 2 adverb
over·all
ˌō-və-ˈrȯl
: as a whole : generally
we find your work satisfactory, overall
overall
2 of 2 adjectiveˌō-və-ˈrȯl,
ˈō-və-ˌrȯl
1
: including everything
overall expenses
2
: viewed as a whole : general
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