Overall — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb noun adjective /ˌō-vər-ˈȯl/ (adverb) /ˈō-vər-ˌȯl/ (noun) over·all

Meaning & Definition of Overall

Overall (adverb)

  1. all over
  2. from one end to the other
  3. in view of all the circumstances or conditions

Overall (noun)

  1. loose protective trousers worn over regular clothes
  2. trousers of strong material usually with a bib and shoulder straps
  3. a loose-fitting protective smock worn over regular clothing

Overall (adjective)

  1. including everything
  2. viewed as a whole, general

Overall (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. belonging or relating to the whole

    "the overall view seems to be that we're doing fine economically"

    similar: across-the-board, blanket, broad-brush, common, general, generic, global, universal
    related: all-embracing, broad, broad-gauge, broadscale, comprehensive, extensive, inclusionary, overarching, pervasive, sweeping, ubiquitous, wholesale, wide, widespread, aggregate, collective, complete, full, plenary, planetary, worldwide
    opposite: individual, particular
    near: component, constituent, cross-sectional, divisional, fragmentary, partial, local, localized, regional, sectional

  2. relating to the main elements and not to specific details

    "there's an overall similarity in the looks of the models for that chain of clothing stores"

    similar: all-around, bird's-eye, broad, general, nonspecific
    related: comprehensive, inclusive, absolute, boundless, expansive, extensive, infinite, panoramic, sweeping, vast, wide, indeterminate, nebulous, nondescript, vague, unlimited, unrestricted, unspecified
    opposite: close-up, delineated, detailed, molecular, particularized, specific
    near: limited, restricted, specified, distinct, explicit, precise, sharp, comprehensive, elaborate, full, mapped (out), thorough, enumerated, inventoried, itemized, listed, individual, singular, particular, peculiar

  3. held by or applicable to a majority of the people

    "the overall mind-set among the people in our town seems to be that any increase in taxes is bad"

    similar: common, general, majority, popular, prevailing, public, received, ruling, vulgar
    related: unanimous, universal, pop, everyday, familiar, household, usual, well-known, contemporary, current, present, dominant, predominant, preponderant, characteristic, typical, pandemic, pervasive, prevalent, rife, widespread, communal, shared
    opposite: uncommon, unpopular
    near: rare, strange, unknown, unusual, distinctive, especial, idiosyncratic, peculiar, special, unique, individual, separate, singular, nonpublic, personal, private

Overall (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. with everyone or everything taken into account at the same time

    "reduce the budget overall by 15 percent"

    similar: all around, all told, altogether, collectedly, collectively, inclusively, together, across the board, all in all, in the aggregate, on the whole
    related: broadly, generally, liberally, loosely, macroscopically, all over, completely, comprehensively, encyclopedically, entirely, exhaustively, fully, sweepingly, thoroughly, totally, wholly
    near: detailedly, microscopically, minutely, literally, narrowly, restrictedly, strictly, alone, categorically, distinctly, exclusively, fractionally, individually, separately, singly, singularly, solely, solitarily, specifically

  2. for the most part

    "overall, this is a good speech, but it could use a little humor"

    similar: altogether, basically, by and large, chiefly, generally, largely, mainly, mostly, predominantly, primarily, principally, substantially, in general, on the whole
    related: about, more or less, most, much, near, nearly, next to, nigh, practically, some, virtually, well-nigh, approximately, broadly, plus or minus, roughly, commonly, frequently, normally, ordinarily, typically, usually, incompletely, partially, partly, rather, somewhat
    near: completely, entirely, fully, perfectly, thoroughly, totally, wholly, barely, hardly, just, marginally, minimally, scarcely, absolutely, categorically, unqualifiedly

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Overall

The most common words with a similar meaning to Overall:

across-the-board, blanket, broad-brush, common, general, generic, global, universal, all-around, bird's-eye, broad, nonspecific, majority, popular, prevailing, public, received, ruling, vulgar, all around, all told, altogether, collectedly, collectively, inclusively, together, basically, by and large, chiefly, generally, largely, mainly, mostly, predominantly, primarily, principally, substantially, across the board, all in all, in the aggregate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Overall

Words with the opposite meaning of Overall:

individual, particular, close-up, delineated, detailed, molecular, particularized, specific, uncommon, unpopular

Related Words for Overall

all-embracing, broad-gauge, broadscale, comprehensive, extensive, inclusionary, overarching, pervasive, sweeping, ubiquitous, wholesale, wide, widespread, aggregate, collective, complete, full, plenary, planetary, worldwide, inclusive, absolute, boundless, expansive, infinite, panoramic, vast, indeterminate, nebulous, nondescript

Near Antonyms of Overall

component, constituent, cross-sectional, divisional, fragmentary, partial, local, localized, regional, sectional, limited, restricted, specified, distinct, explicit, precise, sharp, comprehensive, elaborate, full, mapped (out), thorough, enumerated, inventoried, itemized, listed, singular, peculiar, rare, strange

Origin & Etymology of Overall

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Overall

Frequently Asked Questions about Overall

What does "Overall" mean?

"Overall" means all over. As an an adverb, a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: all over. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Overall"?

Other words for "Overall" include across-the-board, blanket, broad-brush, common, general, generic, global and universal. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Overall" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Overall"?

There are 137 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Overall". Common alternatives include across-the-board, blanket, broad-brush, common, general, generic, global, universal, all-around and bird's-eye.

What is the opposite of "Overall"?

Antonyms of "Overall" include individual, particular, close-up, delineated, detailed, molecular, particularized and specific. Near antonyms include component, constituent, cross-sectional and divisional.

How do you use "Overall" in a sentence?

Examples of "Overall" in a sentence: "the overall view seems to be that we're doing fine economically"; "there's an overall similarity in the looks of the models for that chain of clothing stores"; "the overall mind-set among the people in our town seems to be that any increase in taxes is bad".

Is "Overall" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Overall" can be used as an adverb, a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Overall" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Overall" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Overall"?

"Overall" is pronounced /ˌō-vər-ˈȯl/ as an adverb and /ˈō-vər-ˌȯl/ as a noun and divided into syllables as over·all.