overall
pronunciation
How to pronounce overall in British English:
UK [ˌəʊvərˈɔːl , ˈəʊvərɔːl]
How to pronounce overall in American English:
US [ˌoʊvərˈɔːl , ˈoʊvərɔːl]
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- Noun:
- work clothing consisting of denim trousers (usually with a bib and shoulder straps)
- a loose protective coverall or smock worn over ordinary clothing for dirty work
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- Adjective:
- involving only main features
- including everything
Word Origin
- overall (adv.)
- "everywhere," Old English ofer eall, from ofer "over" (see over) + eall (see all). Sense of "including everything" is from 1894. The noun in the clothing sense (usually plural) of "loose trousers of a strong material worn by cowboys, etc." is from 1782. Specific sense "loose fitting canvas trousers with a bib and strap top" (originally worn by workmen over other clothes to protect them from wet, dirt, etc.) is attested from 1897.
Example
- 1. Yet overall labour costs are rising steadily .
- 2. They also boost your overall chances of success .
- 3. Overall it is a great place to go .
- 4. Limiting the places that sell tobacco cuts overall consumption .
- 5. Overall , there is little in the book that is truly original .