overall

American  

[oh-ver-awl, oh-ver-awl] / ˈoʊ vərˈɔl, ˈoʊ vərˌɔl /

adverb

1. from one extreme limit of a thing to the other.

   the overall length of the bridge.

2. covering or including everything.

   an overall impression;

   to view something overall.

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noun

• overalls
  plural

1. (used with a plural verb) overalls,

   1. 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.

   2. long waterproof leggings.

2. British. a smock or loose-fitting housedress.

overall British  

adjective

1. from one end to the other

2. including or covering everything

   the overall cost

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adverb

1. in general; on the whole

noun

1. a protective work garment usually worn over ordinary clothes

2. (plural) hard-wearing work trousers with a bib and shoulder straps or jacket attached

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• overalls
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of overall

First recorded before 1000; Middle English overal (adverb), Old English ofer eall; see over ( def. ), all ( def. )

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

overall overalls

Fundraising from institutional investors rose to 66% of overall inflows in the past 12 months, Lipschultz said in a July presentation to Wall Street analysts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

It puts him fourth on the list for overall goal contributions off the bench.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

He said he’s seen enough overall deterioration in the market to believe the intermediate-term trend is weakening.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Yields have moderated overall this week as investors sought out safer assets, but they rose slightly on Friday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

So Warren takes the prize for overall swag—handsome with a little edge, some rhythm to his walk, bass in his voice, and he laughs at his own jokes.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi

The system uses a cooling tank and pump, usually situated in the car's nose, that delivers a cooled liquid, such as glycol, through a system of pipes in a fireproof top worn under their overalls.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Last year, Netflix flew the 77-year-old from his home in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, to Brisbane, Australia, where he once again donned a green wig and overalls for the TV competition Wonka's The Golden Ticket.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

Another man was dressed in overalls in star-spangled colors while one couple wore large and seemingly uncomfortable bald eagle heads, topped by red, white and blue cloth stovepipe hats.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

When opportunity shows up as a hard hat or a pair of overalls, we put them on and get to work.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026

It's only been three months and I already look the part of farmer in overalls and clodhoppers.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

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Related Words

• comprehensive
• global
• long-term

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