overall

overall

1. pronunciation.

When the word is a noun (singular overall or plural overalls) the stress is on the first syllable; when an adjective it normally falls on the first syllable and when an adverb on the third, but the stress is variable in context.

2. parts of speech.

As a noun, an overall (in BrE) is a coat-like piece of clothing worn over ordinary clothes to protect them against stains etc., and overalls (plural) are protective trousers or dungarees or a combination suit worn by people doing manual work. As an adjective, overall is always used in attributive position (i.e. before a noun), as in the overall effect. As an adverb, overall normally qualifies a whole sentence, as in Overall, the performance was excellent.

3. overall majority.

An overall majority is the amount by which the largest number of votes, parliamentary seats, etc., exceeds all the others added together, and also the fact of such a majority (failed to win an overall majority).