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

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

overall overalls

So while the overall aesthetic will not be to everyone’s taste, there’s enough going on musically to hold interest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Herbert was selected sixth overall by the Chargers in the 2020 draft.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Those creations, they said, helped drive global volumes 5% higher overall during the period.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

While that figure is higher than most, school districts’ fixed costs have been found to be a third of overall district costs at minimum, and generally higher.

From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026

“The troll was a slight blip. But irrelevant to the overall scheme.”

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Wearing overalls and a cap emblazoned with "Billionaire's Boys Club", he expresses profound regret over the seven years he has worked as a goon.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

Far below the cabin, hundreds of workers in overalls, helmets and protective goggles are busy at work.

From Barron's ● Mar. 7, 2026

It’s also trying to recover from controversial efforts to change its branding, and the fallout after returning to its old logo featuring a man in overalls leaning against a barrel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Sabate has performed to songs from the Minions while wearing a yellow T-shirt and blue overalls, like the characters' outfits.

From BBC ● Feb. 10, 2026

The guy pulled a rosy apple from a nearby tree and polished it on his dirty overalls.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

• comprehensive
• global
• long-term