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Added 8 October 2026

overall

/ˌəʊ.vəˈɹɔːl/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about overall at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

(usually plural) 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.

adjective

Involving only main features.
the overall pattern of his life
Including everything.
the overall cost

Origin

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”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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