Meaning & Definition of word "General"

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.