Meaning & Definition of word "General"

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    General

    /ˈdʒɛn.ə.rəl/

    noun:

    • 1. a high-ranking officer in the army, air force, or marine corps.
      • Example: The general addressed the troops before the mission.
    • 2. a person who has a lot of experience in a particular field.
      • Example: She is considered a general in the field of education reform.

    adjective:

    • 1. relating to, or affecting all or most people, places, or things; widespread.
      • Example: The general consensus is that more research is needed in this area.
    • 2. not specific or specialized; providing a broad overview.
      • Example: He gave a general description of the project without going into detail.
    • 3. common or usual; ordinary.
      • Example: In general, people prefer to work in a friendly environment.

    Etymology

    Middle English, from Latin 'generalis', from 'genus', meaning 'kind, type'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    in general:

    In most cases; usually.

    general idea:

    A broad understanding or concept.

    general admission:

    A type of ticket allowing entry to an event without reserved seating.

    Related Words

    generalize:

    To make a statement or conclusion based on a general observation.

    generalization:

    A general statement or concept obtained by inference from specific cases.

    Slang Meanings of general

    Meaning: In general terms, often used to indicate an average or norm.

    Example Sentence: In general, people love pizza.

    Meaning: To refer to something that is generally accepted or understood.

    Example Sentence: Everyone in general thinks it's a good idea.