overall

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   involving only main features

   The overall pattern of their life was obvious in retrospect.

2. 2
   adj

   including everything

   the overall cost

3. 3
   noun

   work clothing consisting of denim trousers usually with a bib and shoulder straps

   The farmer wears overalls to work in the farm.

4. 4
   adj

   All-encompassing, all around.

   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.

5. 5
   adv

   Generally; with everything considered.

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

6. 6
   noun

   a loose protective coverall or smock worn over ordinary clothing for dirty work

7. 7
   noun

   A 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.

8. 8
   noun

   A garment, worn for manual labor, with an integral covering extending to the chest, supported by straps.

Etymology

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”).