overall

1 of 3

adverb

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

c

: with everyone or everything taken into account

was third overall in earnings

got 31 miles to the gallon overall

overall

2 of 3

noun

over·​all ˈō-vər-ˌȯl 

1

a

overalls ˈō-vər-ˌȯlz  plural, archaic : loose protective trousers worn over regular clothes

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

Illustration of overall

• overall 1b

overall

3 of 3

adjective

over·​all ˌō-vər-ˈȯl  ˈō-vər-ˌȯl 

1

: including everything

2

: viewed as a whole : general

Synonyms

Adverb

• all around
• all told
• altogether
• collectedly
• collectively
• inclusively
• together

Adjective

• across-the-board
• blanket
• broad-brush
• common
• general
• generic
• global
• universal

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

Adverb

The sketch overall is a scattershot assortment of jokes, but the enthusiasm and star power go a long way with this one. —Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024

And overall, workers are picketing at hundreds of Amazon facilities. —Rubie Mosqueda, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024

Noun

The best office chairs on Amazon can fix that, ranging from our favorite overall, Flexispot's Mesh Office Chair, to ergonomic beauties like the Herman Miller Embody that comes co-signed by actual doctors. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2024

For the past five years, the 1994 song has hit No. 1 overall on the Billboard during the week of Christmas. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Dec. 2024

Adjective

As burnout has shown to affect women disproportionately to men, Kathy McCabe bridges a growing gap between productivity and overall employee satisfaction. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024

Now, as the former 2nd overall pick looks for a new home, his headlines were masked by the rumors spreading about the 2024 Winter Meetings about teammate Kyle Tucker. —Tyler Small, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1631, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing overall

• the overall scheme of things

Kids 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 adjective

ˌō-və-ˈrȯl,

ˈō-və-ˌrȯl

1

: including everything

overall expenses

2

: viewed as a whole : general