overall

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Taking everything into account; general or total rather than particular.

   Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: overall cost, overall impression; not after a noun in standard use.

   Patterns

   • overall cost/score
   • overall effect/impression
   • overall plan/strategy

   The overall cost was lower than we feared.

   Her overall impression of the hotel was positive.

   We won despite a weak overall performance.

2. 2adverbfixed phrase

   Considering everything; in general, as a final judgment after looking at all parts.

   Grammar: Often begins a clause or sentence summarizing the main judgment; not gradable.

   Patterns

   • overall, ...
   • Overall, ...
   • seem/look good overall

   Overall, the project stayed within budget.

   The meal was expensive, but good overall.

   Overall, I think we made the right call.

Common combinations

overall impression

My overall impression was that the team cared.

overall score

Her overall score rose after the final exam.

overall effect

The lighting had a calming overall effect.

overall plan

The overall plan remains flexible.

Synonyms and how they differ

total

Adds all parts into one amount; overall can mean general judgment, not only arithmetic.

general

Not detailed or specific; overall often summarizes after considering details.

comprehensive

Means complete and wide-ranging, stronger and broader than overall.

net

Used in money or results after deductions; narrower than overall.

Opposites

Commonly confused: overall or overly? overall or whole?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “overall”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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