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
Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 21 Mar. 2025
Netflix’s Zero Day and Prime Video’s Reacher finished first and second overall for the week after premiering on Feb. 20.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Episode 6’s revelations put the viewer very much in Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea’s (Aimee Lou Wood) POV, assessing the brothers’ overall dynamic with morbid fascination.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 23 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
The conference was just 9-14 overall in the event from 2022 to 2024, with San Diego State’s run to the national title game in 2023 accounting for five of those nine wins.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 21 Mar. 2025
Netflix’s Zero Day and Prime Video’s Reacher finished first and second overall for the week after premiering on Feb. 20.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Their presence in Maine’s waters suggests a healthy marine environment, which could be beneficial for the overall ecosystem.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Episode 6’s revelations put the viewer very much in Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea’s (Aimee Lou Wood) POV, assessing the brothers’ overall dynamic with morbid fascination.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 23 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 2 Apr. 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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