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Synonyms

overview

American  
[oh-ver-vyoo] / ˈoʊ vərˌvyu /

noun

  1. a general outline of a subject or situation; survey or summary.


overview British  
/ ˈəʊvəˌvjuː /

noun

  1. a general survey

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of overview

First recorded in 1540–50; over- + view

Explanation

An overview is a general summary of something. An overview gives the big picture, while leaving out the minor details. If you take a class on American history, the class will be an overview: it will sum up the most important events that have happened, such as famous elections, national disasters, major wars, and economic trends. When writing an overview, you have to leave out a lot of details, because you're focusing on major points. You can give an overview of a company's business, of a sport team's season, or even of your own life.

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Vocabulary lists containing overview

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

TikTok says it has identified the cause of AI overview errors and inconsistencies, without detailing what this was.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

While there’s less floor space dedicated to the permanent collection, a new installation of intimately scaled works offers a more insightful overview of its holdings than the earlier display.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

When provided separately with an overview of the story via text to his phone, he responded simply: “Can talk after 3/31.”

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

Many advisers offer a free introductory meeting to provide a general overview of how they’d manage your money.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

I first gave a general overview of my travels, itemizing the money we had received and the offers of training.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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