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
Synonyms
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
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
Consumer prices overall increased 3% from a year earlier, up from 2.9% the previous month, according to the Labor Department’s consumer price index, a measure of goods and service costs across the U.S.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The Tar Heels have been moving the wrong way for a while now, dropping 20 spots in KenPom over the last month while going 2-5 overall.
—Jim Root, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025
The overall box office is up 22% compared to last year, due in part to the SAG-AFTRA strike that disrupted the 2024 release calendar, according to Dergarabedian.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overall 
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Adverb
Speaking at a packed out EFM masterclass on film financing and packaging, Sutherland acknowledged that the L.A. fires had meant for a tough start to the year for the indie community, but said overall the outlook was bright.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
Consumer prices overall increased 3% from a year earlier, up from 2.9% the previous month, according to the Labor Department’s consumer price index, a measure of goods and service costs across the U.S.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
The Jayhawks enter Saturday’s showdown against the Utes 8-5 in the Big 12, 17-7 overall.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The Tar Heels have been moving the wrong way for a while now, dropping 20 spots in KenPom over the last month while going 2-5 overall.
—Jim Root, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Maryland improved to 20-6 overall and 10-5 in the Big Ten and reached 10 wins in the conference for only the second time in the last five years (11-9 in 2022-23, coach Kevin Willard’s first season).
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025
The overall box office is up 22% compared to last year, due in part to the SAG-AFTRA strike that disrupted the 2024 release calendar, according to Dergarabedian.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overall
Dictionary Entries Near overall
Cite this Entry
“Overall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overall. Accessed 21 Feb. 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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