# overall

Pronunciation: say "oh-vur-AWL" US /ˌoʊvɚˈɔl/, UK /ˌəʊvəɹˈɔːl/

## Adjective

1. Taking in or applying to every part; total and general rather than partial.
   - Simple: Including all the parts or everything, not just some of it.
   - _The overall design of the building emphasizes natural light._
   - _They were pleased with the overall outcome of the negotiations._

## Adverb

2. Taking all the parts and details together; in general terms.
   - Simple: When you look at everything together, not just one part.
   - _Overall, the company performed well despite a difficult quarter._
   - _The reviews were mixed, but the film was, overall, a success._

## Noun

Pronunciation: US say "OH-vur-awl" /ˈoʊvɚɔl/; UK say "OH-vuh-rawl" /ˈəʊvəɹɔːl/

3. A work garment with a built-in chest panel held up by shoulder straps, worn for manual labor. *(US)*
   - Simple: Work pants with a part that covers the chest, held up by straps over the shoulders.
   - _He buttoned the side of his overalls and grabbed his toolbox._
   - _One overall strap had frayed where it crossed his shoulder._
4. A loose coat or one-piece suit worn over other clothes to protect them, such as a work coat or a boiler suit. *(British)*
   - Simple: Something you wear over your other clothes to keep them clean while you work.
   - _The factory issued each new hire a blue overall on the first day._
   - _Mechanics often keep a spare set of overalls in their lockers._

## Origin

From Middle English 'overall', from Old English 'ofer eall' ('over all'), equivalent to 'over' + 'all'. It is related to Dutch 'overal', German 'überall', and Swedish 'överallt', all meaning 'everywhere'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/overall (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).