overall

comparative more overall · superlative most overall

1. All-encompassing, all around.

   "The cranium is clearly plesiomorphic in overall form, presenting primitive traits shared by earlier hominins," the authors wrote.

   2025 September 27, Julia Jacobo, “Million-year-old skull could rewrite timeline of human origin, researchers say”, in ABC News, archived from the original on 14 Feb 2026

   1 more example

   We believe also that a controlled economy cannot be understood without some overall view of the controlling institutions: hence our short studies — shorter by far than the original drafts — of the central administration.

   1949, W. Keith Hancock, Margaret M. Gowing, British War Economy

   Synonyms: big, entire, total, whole, exhaustive, thorough

1. not comparableGenerally; in general.

   Overall, there is not enough evidence to form a clear conclusion.

   1 more example

   While this new measure provided money for research, it also purported to cut spending overall.

2. not comparableConsidering or taking into account everything.

   The frozen foods side of the business overall saw a loss.

plural overalls

1. UKA garment worn over other clothing to protect it; a coverall or boiler suit. A garment, for manual labor or for casual wear, often made of a single piece of fabric, with long legs and a bib upper, supported from the shoulders with straps, and having several large pockets and loops for carrying tools.
2. USin pluralA garment, worn for manual labor, with an integral covering extending to the chest, supported by straps.