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
Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
The Hawks picked Doncic third, and the Mavericks selected Oklahoma’s Trae Young fifth overall.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2025
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Qualifying for the playoffs hasn’t been an issue for the Leafs since drafting Auston Matthews No. 1 overall in 2016.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
While the overall hitting surface is not increased with the torpedo bat, the barrel of the bat is moved to a different location.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb
The industry overall spent $680 million on dividends to shareholders during the period.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
The Hawks picked Doncic third, and the Mavericks selected Oklahoma’s Trae Young fifth overall.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
Now Ward is expected to be drafted No. 1 overall by Tennessee and Sanders second or third by Cleveland or the New York Giants.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Qualifying for the playoffs hasn’t been an issue for the Leafs since drafting Auston Matthews No. 1 overall in 2016.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The employees' data, which goes back to 2015, showed that in March 2015 the overall vacancy rate was 9.3%.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
While the overall hitting surface is not increased with the torpedo bat, the barrel of the bat is moved to a different location.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 5 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 11 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share