Words / B2

ohv-uh-r-ORL/ˌəʊvərˈɔːl/

Overall means taking everything together, not each detail: overall, the course was a success; the overall cost. General is close; total is more about the sum of numbers. As an adverb it often starts a summing-up sentence; as an adjective it sits before a noun (overall impression). In conversation, on the whole or all in all is very common.

Meaning

Including everything; general.

Examples

• “Overall, the course was a success.”
• “The overall impression was of careful work.”
• “There were delays, but overall the move went well.”

Good to know

overall + noun (impression/cost). As adverb: summing up. Everyday: on the whole.

Near in meaning

general

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