rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryoverallTaken as a whole
adjective / adverb

overall

oh-ver-AWL/ˌəʊvərˈɔːl/

Considering everything together.

The judge considers the overall routine rather than only the imperfect landing.

A gymnastics judge gives one assessment of a complete routine containing both strong elements and a visibly imperfect landing, rather than judging only one moment.
Etymology
overOld Englishover, across
+allOld Englishall, the whole

Over and all originally combined in a phrase meaning everywhere or in every part. That spatial completeness became the broader idea of including everything in a single consideration.

In context

Christina M1:34
it's the kind of thinking that encourages focus on the overall context and bigger picture of a situation or something
Presentation Analytic Vs Holistic Thinking Martello

More examples

  • Overall, the experiment succeeded.
  • The overall cost remained within budget.
  • Her work was strong overall.

Forms

overall

Similar words

on balance
A phrase emphasizing the combined result of positives and negatives.
generally
Generally may allow exceptions rather than combine every factor into one judgment.