Overall vs. General — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 6, 2023
Overall pertains to considering everything as a whole or in total. General denotes what's typical or common without focusing on details. Both refer to broad perspectives but with slightly different emphases.
Difference Between Overall and General
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Overall and General, while seemingly interchangeable, serve unique roles in language. Overall tends to indicate a comprehensive view, encompassing all parts or aspects of something. It’s as if one is looking at the entire landscape from a bird’s-eye view. When someone says the overall performance of a team was good, they're speaking about the collective efforts of all members and all aspects of the performance.
General, however, hints at what's usual or common across a range of instances. It’s more about typicality and less about comprehensiveness. For instance, speaking about the general behavior of a certain animal refers to common behaviors observed in that species, not necessarily every behavior of every individual.
While "overall" can be used to describe the net effect or result after considering all factors, "general" leans more towards indicating a prevailing or widespread condition or opinion without delving into specifics. For example, one might say that the overall outcome of an event was successful, meaning when all factors are considered, it was a success. In contrast, a general observation could be that most events of this type tend to be successful.
In conclusion, while both terms provide a broader view, overall encapsulates everything in totality, whereas general presents a summarized or prevalent aspect without diving deep into particulars.
Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Including everything; taken as a whole.
Common or usual; not specific.
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Usage
Often used to summarize a comprehensive view.
Used to describe what's typical across instances.
Context
Emphasizes totality or entirety.
Emphasizes typicality or prevailing conditions.
Synonym
Comprehensive, total
Usual, typical
Grammatical Form
Mostly an adverb or adjective.
Mostly an adjective, but can also be a noun (e.g., "a general").
Compare with Definitions
Overall
Taking everything into account.
Overall, the project was a success.
General
Affecting or concerning all or most people or things.
The general mood was one of excitement.
Overall
As a whole or in general.
His overall performance this year was remarkable.
General
Typical or normal for a category or group.
That's the general behavior of toddlers.
Overall
Including all details or aspects.
The overall cost of the trip was higher than expected.
General
Widespread or prevalent.
There is a general understanding of the rules.
Overall
Taking everything into account
The governors and head have overall responsibility for managing the school
The overall effect is impressive
General
Affecting or concerning all or most people or things; widespread
Books of general interest
The general opinion was that prices would fall
Overall
Taken as a whole; in all
Overall, 10,000 jobs will go
General
Considering or including only the main features or elements of something; not exact or detailed
The arrangements were outlined in very general terms
A general introduction to the subject
Overall
A loose-fitting coat or one-piece garment worn over ordinary clothes for protection against dirt or heavy wear
A pair of overalls
Men in grubby blue overalls
General
Chief or principal
The general manager
The Director General of the BBC
Overall
From one end to the other
The overall length of the house.
General
A commander of an army, or an army officer of very high rank.
Overall
Including everything; comprehensive
The overall costs of medical care.
General
The general public.
Overall
Regarded as a whole; general
My overall impression was favorable.
General
Concerned with, applicable to, or affecting the whole or every member of a class or category
"subduing all her impressions as a woman, to something more general" (Virginia Woolf).
Overall
On the whole; generally
Enjoyed the performance overall.
General
Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent
General discontent.
Overall
Chiefly British A loose-fitting protective outer garment; a smock.
General
Of or affecting the entire body
General paralysis.
Overall
Overalls Loose-fitting pants, usually of strong fabric, with a bib front and shoulder straps, often worn over regular clothing as protection from dirt.
General
Being usually the case; true or applicable in most instances but not all
The general correctness of her decisions.
Overall
All-encompassing, all around.
General
Not limited in scope, area, or application
As a general rule.
Overall
Generally; with everything considered.
General
Not limited to or dealing with one class of things; diversified
General studies.
Overall
(British) A garment worn over other clothing to protect it; a coverall or boiler suit. A garment, for manual labor or for casual wear, often made of a single piece of fabric, with long legs and a bib upper, supported from the shoulders with straps, and having several large pockets and loops for carrying tools.
General
Involving only the main features rather than precise details
A general grasp of the subject.
Overall
A garment, worn for manual labor, with an integral covering extending to the chest, supported by straps.
General
Highest or superior in rank
The general manager.
Overall
Everywhere.
General
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above lieutenant general.
Overall
Work clothing consisting of denim trousers (usually with a bib and shoulder straps)
General
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Overall
A loose protective coverall or smock worn over ordinary clothing for dirty work
General
A general officer.
Overall
Involving only main features;
The overall pattern of his life
General
A statement, principle, or fact that embraces or is applicable to the whole.
Overall
Including everything;
The overall cost
The total amount owed
General
General anesthesia.
Overall
From a comprehensive viewpoint.
Overall, the feedback was positive.
General
(Archaic) The public.
Overall
Pertaining to the total of something.
The overall effect was mesmerizing.
General
Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to specific or particular.
General
Applied to a person (as a postmodifier or a normal preceding adjective) to indicate supreme rank, in civil or military titles, and later in other terms; pre-eminent.
General
Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
General
Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category.
General
Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
General
Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area.
General
A general fact or proposition; a generality.
We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.
General
(military ranks) The holder of a senior military title, originally designating the commander of an army and now a specific rank falling under field marshal (in the British army) and below general of the army or general of the air force in the US army and air forces.
General
A great strategist or tactician.
Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
General
(Christianity) The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.
General
(nautical) A commander of naval forces; an admiral.
General
A general servant; a maid with no specific duties.
General
(countable) A general anesthetic.
General
(uncountable) General anesthesia.
General
The general insurance industry.
I work in general.
General
(xiangqi) A xiangqi piece, that is moved one point orthogonally and confined within the palace.
General
To lead (soldiers) as a general.
General
(obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.
General
Relating to a genus or kind; pertaining to a whole class or order; as, a general law of animal or vegetable economy.
General
Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; including all particulars; as, a general inference or conclusion.
General
Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression.
General
Common to many, or the greatest number; widely spread; prevalent; extensive, though not universal; as, a general opinion; a general custom.
This general applause and cheerful shoutArgue your wisdom and your love to Richard.
General
Having a relation to all; common to the whole; as, Adam, our general sire.
General
As a whole; in gross; for the most part.
His general behavior vain, ridiculous.
General
Usual; common, on most occasions; as, his general habit or method.
General
The whole; the total; that which comprehends or relates to all, or the chief part; - opposed to particular.
In particulars our knowledge begins, and so spreads itself by degrees to generals.
General
One of the chief military officers of a government or country; the commander of an army, of a body of men not less than a brigade. In European armies, the highest military rank next below field marshal.
General
The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general.
General
The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.
General
The public; the people; the vulgar.
General
A general officer of the highest rank
General
The head of a religious order or congregation
General
A fact about the whole (as opposed to particular);
He discussed the general but neglected the particular
He always reasons from the particular to the general
General
Command as a general;
We are generaled by an incompetent!
General
Applying to all or most members of a category or group;
The general public
General assistance
A general rule
In general terms
Comprehensible to the general reader
General
Not specialized or limited to one class of things;
General studies
General knowledge
General
Of national scope;
A general election
General
Prevailing among and common to the general public;
The general discontent
General
Affecting the entire body;
A general anesthetic
General symptoms
General
Somewhat indefinite;
Bearing a general resemblance to the original
A general description of the merchandise
General
Of worldwide scope or applicability;
An issue of cosmopolitan import
The shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time
Universal experience
General
Common or usual.
The general opinion is that the movie was great.
General
Not specific or detailed.
He gave a general overview of the plan.
Common Curiosities
Can general refer to what's typical?
Yes, general often describes what's typical or usual.
If I'm summarizing a total effect, should I use overall or general?
Use "overall" to summarize a total effect.
Does overall always imply every single detail was considered?
It suggests a comprehensive view, but not necessarily every minute detail.
Is overall synonymous with total?
They're similar. "Overall" often pertains to a comprehensive view, while "total" is a sum of parts.
Can general be a noun?
Yes, "a general" can refer to a military rank or a widespread idea.
Can general be used to describe a consensus?
Yes, for instance, "the general consensus" means a widely held agreement.
Which word implies comprehensiveness: overall or general?
Overall implies comprehensiveness.
Can I use general to describe an average?
Yes, it can imply something that's common or typical, akin to an average.
Does general mean vague?
Not necessarily. While it doesn’t delve into specifics, it indicates what's common or typical.
Is overall an adjective?
Overall can be an adjective, as in "the overall score," but it can also be an adverb.
Can you have an overall opinion?
Yes, it would be an opinion formed after considering all aspects or factors.
Is overall related to an overarching theme?
Yes, the overall theme of a story is its primary or comprehensive theme.
Does general always avoid specifics?
Generally, yes. It offers a broader view without detailing every instance.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
