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
Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Other Connecticut connections going pro New Haven native Tyler Booker, an All-American offensive lineman at Alabama, was picked 12th overall by the Dallas Cowboys.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
The Oilers improved to 2-7 in overtime games at home in the McDavid-Draisaitl era and 6-11 overall.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
Understanding how an employee’s work corresponds with the organization’s goals speaks to the overall issue of alignment.
—Caitlin MacGregor, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Smith is the first running back to be selected by the Chiefs in the seventh round since Isiah Pacheco was taken 251st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Other Connecticut connections going pro New Haven native Tyler Booker, an All-American offensive lineman at Alabama, was picked 12th overall by the Dallas Cowboys.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
Granted, Buffalo picked Allen No. 7 overall in 2018, higher than Dart at No. 25.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
The Oilers improved to 2-7 in overtime games at home in the McDavid-Draisaitl era and 6-11 overall.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
By that point, the Heat was shooting 10 for 36 overall and 2 for 21 on threes, while Cleveland was shooting 23 for 44 overall and 11 for 23 on threes.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
Understanding how an employee’s work corresponds with the organization’s goals speaks to the overall issue of alignment.
—Caitlin MacGregor, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 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 5 May. 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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