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
Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
Since being taken seventh overall by Buffalo in the 2018 NFL Draft, Allen has led the Bills to six straight AFC East titles, while quickly cementing himself as one of the best quarterbacks in today’s game.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 10 Mar. 2025
Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
SpaceX will try for another Super Heavy chopsticks catch — its third overall, if successful — and Ship will attempt to deploy mock Starlink satellites on its suborbital trajectory (but four this time, not 10).
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
Although the overall aim is to reach circa 200 stores before 2030, Li says that exact numbers are difficult to project, given the wide range of macro-factors impacting international retail and the fact that the company is introducing a new company to overseas markets.
—Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Moore, 27, was the No. 8 offensive tackle in The Athletic’s NFL free-agency rankings and No. 105 overall.
—Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
Since being taken seventh overall by Buffalo in the 2018 NFL Draft, Allen has led the Bills to six straight AFC East titles, while quickly cementing himself as one of the best quarterbacks in today’s game.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
The period drama came in at a stunning second overall among live-action movies on Brazil’s 2024 box office chart, ahead of much more muscular Hollywood fare like Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Dune: Part Two.
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
SpaceX will try for another Super Heavy chopsticks catch — its third overall, if successful — and Ship will attempt to deploy mock Starlink satellites on its suborbital trajectory (but four this time, not 10).
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Even with recent gains, Black Americans are still outnumbered 12 to 1 by white people in executive roles – a gap seven times wider than found in the overall workforce at those companies.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
Although the overall aim is to reach circa 200 stores before 2030, Li says that exact numbers are difficult to project, given the wide range of macro-factors impacting international retail and the fact that the company is introducing a new company to overseas markets.
—Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 28 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 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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