best overall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "best overall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing multiple items or options to indicate which one is the most favorable in general terms. Example: "After reviewing all the candidates, we concluded that Sarah was the best overall choice for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We won best overall band!

The New Yorker

He managed the best overall time without winning a stage.

The New York Times - Sports

Honda's Acura MDX was the best overall performer.

The New York Times

By Mike Wise BEST OVERALL PLAYER: Jay Williams, Duke.

The New York Times - Sports

But Perry seemed to have the best overall perspective.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tappan Zee High School won best overall musical production for "42nd Street".

The New York Times

Did students just choose players with the best overall statistics?

The New York Times

The best overall figure is a well-educated guess.

The New York Times

My essays written in Georgia did the best overall.

The New York Times

The best overall option was the four-inch, $150 MG.

The New York Times - Tech

The Guardian's Facebook page won a bronze award in the best overall social experience category.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and purpose of your writing. While "best overall" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "top-performing" or "leading".

Common error

Avoid using "best overall" as a subjective statement without providing supporting evidence or defined parameters. Back up your claim with concrete examples or data to enhance credibility.

How to use

Learn how to use "best overall" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "best overall" functions as a superlative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the highest level of quality or performance when considering all relevant factors. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "best overall" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe something that excels in multiple aspects. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that you have clearly defined the criteria for evaluation to avoid overgeneralization. While suitable for general communication, more formal or academic writing may benefit from more specific alternatives like "top-performing" or "leading". Remember to back up your claim with supporting evidence to enhance credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top-performing

Emphasizes the performance aspect, highlighting that something excels in its function or execution.

highest-rated

Focuses on ratings or evaluations, suggesting a consensus of positive reviews or assessments.

leading

Indicates a position of dominance or superiority compared to others in the same category.

premier

Implies a high level of quality and prestige, suggesting the item is among the best in its class.

chief

Suggests a position of leadership or the highest rank in a particular context.

foremost

Emphasizes being at the front or in the most important position, highlighting prominence.

principal

Indicates primary importance or significance, suggesting a key role or function.

optimum

Highlights that something is the most favorable or advantageous option.

finest

Emphasizes superior quality and craftsmanship, suggesting a high level of refinement.

most excellent

Uses more emphatic adjectives to express a very high degree of quality or skill.

FAQs

How can I use "best overall" in a sentence?

You can use "best overall" to describe something that excels in multiple aspects compared to others. For example, "This product was the "best overall" choice due to its performance, price, and ease of use."

What is a good alternative to "best overall"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "top choice", "leading", or "highest rated".

Which is correct, "best overall" or "the best overall"?

Both "best overall" and "the best overall" are grammatically correct, but "the best overall" is more formal and specific. "Best overall" can sometimes function as a general descriptor.

What does "best overall" mean in a competition setting?

In a competition, "best overall" typically refers to the participant or team that achieved the highest cumulative score or performance across all events or categories.