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
Greg Cote
july 20, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Around 4,500 Afghans have been relocated to the U.K. so far with around 6,900 expected to be relocated overall.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 July 2025
He was then drafted 13th overall in this year’s NBA draft following a bold move up the board by New Orleans, which parted with an unprotected 2026 first-round pick in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2025
Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 23 July 2025
Wellness shots are most effective when used as supplements to your overall wellness routine, rather than replacements for healthy lifestyle habits, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Miami has now won four straight overall and is on a 16-6 run entering today’s series-ender vs. Kansas City.
—Greg Cote
july 20, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Around 4,500 Afghans have been relocated to the U.K. so far with around 6,900 expected to be relocated overall.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
Noun
Tuipulotu, for example, has played well in his first two seasons in the NFL, after the Chargers selected him from USC in the second round of the 2023 draft (54th overall).
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 July 2025
He was then drafted 13th overall in this year’s NBA draft following a bold move up the board by New Orleans, which parted with an unprotected 2026 first-round pick in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
—Bennett Conlin, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2025
Adjective
But overall crime, which includes nonviolent property crimes, is up 46% in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown, including a 12% uptick in violent crime, according to police statistics.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 23 July 2025
Wellness shots are most effective when used as supplements to your overall wellness routine, rather than replacements for healthy lifestyle habits, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 22 July 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 29 Jul. 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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