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
Zac Jackson, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Honored everywhere Whenever the end officially comes for Fleury’s career, which began in 2003 after the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted him first overall that summer, Fleury will walk away as one of the game’s legends, on and off the ice.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
Brendan Marks, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Scottie Scheffler won last year at 19-under overall, but who will come out on top in 2025?
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
Trump’s overall job approval is also underwater, with 51% of respondents expressing disapproval and 44% expressing approval.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Maybe the Browns see the 23-year-old Sanders as the right person to take this job and will draft him second overall.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Honored everywhere Whenever the end officially comes for Fleury’s career, which began in 2003 after the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted him first overall that summer, Fleury will walk away as one of the game’s legends, on and off the ice.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
Back to the on-court focus, Smith’s return should ensure that Purdue begins next season ranked in the top 5 nationally — if not No. 1 overall.
—Brendan Marks, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Scottie Scheffler won last year at 19-under overall, but who will come out on top in 2025?
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
When tasked with detailing one important notion regarding maternal health and the overall health of Black women, Dr. King declares that optimizing one’s well-being should not start at pregnancy.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
Trump’s overall job approval is also underwater, with 51% of respondents expressing disapproval and 44% expressing approval.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 17 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 22 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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