overall
Americanadverb
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from one extreme limit of a thing to the other.
the overall length of the bridge.
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covering or including everything.
an overall impression;
to view something overall.
noun
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(used with a plural verb) overalls,
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loose, sturdy trousers, usually with a bib or biblike piece to which shoulder straps are attached, originally worn over other trousers to protect them, as by factory workers or farmers.
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long waterproof leggings.
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British. a smock or loose-fitting housedress.
adjective
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from one end to the other
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including or covering everything
the overall cost
adverb
noun
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a protective work garment usually worn over ordinary clothes
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(plural) hard-wearing work trousers with a bib and shoulder straps or jacket attached
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of overall
First recorded before 1000; Middle English overal (adverb), Old English ofer eall; see over ( def. ), all ( def. )
Explanation
The overall meaning of the word overall is that it covers all the parts of something. For example, the individual parts don't matter as much as the overall value. The word overall is the sum of its parts. Take the word over, meaning "above," and add it to the word all, meaning "everything" and you get overall, meaning "above everything". But remember, it's an adjective as in the overall impression of the music, the overall effect of the new tax code, the overall direction (as opposed to individual little changes.) Remember that overalls, the clothes you wore as a kid, went "over all" your other clothes.
Vocabulary lists containing overall
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)
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Sarah, Plain and Tall
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Part 3 Vocabulary (Unit 2)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Overall, Lufthansa is expected to prove more resilient than many of its European airline peers, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026
Overall, the UK's energy systems are able to cope well during heatwaves, says Hogg.
From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026
Overall, the experiments showed that sea anemones rely on an antiviral pathway that is fundamentally different from the one used by humans, even though both systems contain molecular components that look strikingly alike.
From Science Daily • Jun. 30, 2026
Overall, the average analyst price target for Rocket Lab shares is about $120, up $3 since the deal was announced, according to FactSet.
From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026
Overall, Capen noted, “he is made on a very delicate mold.”
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
