overview

overview — noun

1. a brief account that gives the main points of something without full detail.

1.nounC1
Definition

a brief account that gives the main points of something without full detail.

Example

The booklet gives a quick overview of bus routes in Kaohsiung.

collocation: overview of + topic

Before the meeting, Sara read an overview of last year's sales.

Common collocations
  • quick overview of...
  • brief overview of...
  • give an overview of...
  • provide an overview of...
Synonyms
  • summary

    the closest everyday choice for the main points of something

  • outline

    often emphasizes structure or main stages more than general understanding

  • survey

    can sound broader or more formal, especially in writing

  • sketch

    suggests a quick rough account, often less formal

Grammar Patterns

an overview of + topic

give/provide an overview of + topic

Usage Note

Often used after verbs such as give, provide, and offer, and usually followed by of + topic. It suggests a first broad look, not the full explanation that comes later.

Common Mistakes

The report gave an overview about the project.
The report gave an overview of the project.
overview is usually followed by 'of', not 'about'.

overview — verb

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Overview is useful when you want a broad first look at a subject, report, or plan. Summary is the most general everyday word and often focuses on the main points after you have read or heard the whole thing. Outline often shows structure, stages, or the order of topics. Survey is broader and can sound more formal, especially for research or large areas of knowledge. Sketch suggests something quick and rough, sometimes with less completeness. Compare: The booklet gives an overview of the course. Mia wrote a summary of the article. The teacher drew an outline on the board.

overview ↗summary ↗outline ↗survey ↗sketch ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishFrenchEnglish

Overview was formed in English from over and view. Its literal picture is seeing something from above, and that idea later led to the common figurative sense of seeing the main parts of a subject all at once. Because of that history, the word can still be used both for a general summary and for a high view over a place.