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overall

adv. · adj. · n.
US //ˈoʊvɝˌɔɫ// over·all
  1. 1 generally (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    when you consider everything together; in general.

    taking everything into account; in view of all circumstances.

    Example

    The exam was difficult, but overall I think I did quite well.

    Example

    Overall, the project was a success, despite the initial delays and the unexpected budget cuts in the second quarter.
  2. 2 total or general (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    including everything; total.

    comprehensive or all-encompassing; relating to the whole of a situation.

    Example

    The overall cost of the holiday was much higher than we expected.

    Example

    The overall strategy focuses on long-term sustainability rather than immediate financial gains.
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  1. 3 protective clothing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    a piece of clothing like a suit that you wear over your normal clothes to keep them clean while working.

    a protective garment worn over ordinary clothing, typically by manual workers; often used in the plural form in American English.

    Example

    The mechanic put on his blue overalls before he started fixing the car engine.

    Example

    He hung his oil-stained overalls on the hook by the door after a long shift at the shipyard.

    Usage

    In British English, the singular 'overall' often refers to a coat-like garment, while 'overalls' refers to a one-piece suit.

    Teacher's tip

    Note that in American English, this almost always refers to trousers with a bib and straps, and is used in the plural.
    • coveralls
    • boiler suit
Origin

From Middle English overall, overal, from Old English ofer eall, ofer ealle (“over all”), equivalent to over + all. Compare Saterland Frisian oural, uural (“everywhere”), West Frisian oeral (“everywhere”), Dutch overal (“everywhere”), German Low German overall, överall (“everywhere; all over”), German überall (“all over; everywhere”), Danish overalt (“everywhere”), Swedish överallt (“everywhere; overall”).

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