overall
oh-vuh-RAWL
Overall (adj) means taking everything into account; general. Example: “The overall cost of the trip was lower than we expected.”
adj
1
Taking everything into account; general.
"The overall cost of the trip was lower than we expected."
"Our overall aim is to make the town centre safer for walkers."
"The overall impression of the restaurant was very positive."
adv
1
Considering everything as a whole.
"Overall, the students performed well, though a few struggled with the last question."
"The weather was mixed, but overall we had a lovely week."
"Overall, the trip was a success despite the delayed flight."
noun
1
A loose protective garment worn over regular clothes for manual work.
"The mechanic wore a blue overall covered in oil stains."
"Painters should put on an overall to protect their clothes."
"He pulled on his overall before working on the car engine."
How to use overall
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTaking the whole picture into account, rather than one specific part.
Common pairings
overall performance
overall impression
overall, it was good
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Word forms
- Plural
- overalls
- Comparative
- more overall
- Superlative
- most overall
Fill the gap
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The _____ cost of the trip was lower than we expected.
Etymology
From Old English ofer eall, "over all" — literally covering everything.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for overall
See all rhymes for overall →Frequently asked questions
What does “overall” mean?
The word “overall” means taking everything into account; general. In plain terms, taking the whole picture into account, rather than one specific part.
How do you pronounce “overall”?
“Overall” is pronounced oh-vuh-RAWL (/ˌoʊ.vɚˈɔl/ in IPA).
How do you use “overall” in a sentence?
Here is “overall” used in a sentence: “The overall impression of the restaurant was very positive.”
What is another word for “overall”?
Words with a similar meaning to “overall” include overslop and slop.
What part of speech is “overall”?
Depending on how it is used, “overall” can be an adjective, an adverb and a noun.
Where does the word “overall” come from?
The word “overall” comes from Old English. From Old English ofer eall, "over all" — literally covering everything.
Is “overall” a common word?
“Overall” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “overall” have?
“Overall” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: taking everything into account; general.
What is the difference between overall and general?
The two are close, but 'overall' stresses the total picture once every part is added up, as in the overall cost or overall winner. 'General' means broad or not specific, describing something true in most cases. Overall points to a sum or final result; general points to a wide, non-detailed view.
How do you use 'overall' in a sentence?
As an adjective it describes a total or general result: 'the overall cost was reasonable' or 'the overall winner.' As an adverb it sums things up: 'overall, the trip went well.' It signals that you are weighing everything together rather than focusing on any single detail.
Is 'overall' an adjective, adverb, or noun?
It can be all three. As an adjective it means total or general — 'the overall score.' As an adverb it means on the whole — 'overall, we did well.' As a noun, 'overalls' are protective garments worn over clothes for messy work. The context and position in the sentence tell you which meaning applies.
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