Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of worldwide scope or applicability; universal: Applicable to or affecting the whole world or all cases within a category.
   • Affecting or involving the entire body or all parts: Not localized or specific to one area.
   • Common, widespread, or prevalent among the public: Relating to or characteristic of the majority of people or things.
   • Not specialized or limited to one class of things: Covering a broad range of subjects or functions.
   • Somewhat indefinite or not detailed: Giving only the main points without specifics.

2. Noun:

   • A fact, principle, or statement about the whole as opposed to specific parts: A broad concept or idea.
   • A high-ranking military officer: An officer of the highest rank in an army, such as a general, lieutenant general, etc.
   • The head of a religious order or congregation.

3. Verb:

   • To command or lead as a general: To act in the role of a military commander.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • This is a matter of general interest. (This topic is of widespread concern.)
  • He has a general knowledge of history. (He has broad, non-specialized knowledge of history.)
  • She was given a general anesthetic for the surgery. (She was given an anesthetic that affected her entire body and consciousness.)
  • The book is written for the general reader. (The book is written to be understandable by most people.)

• Noun:

  • He discussed the general but neglected the particular. (He talked about the overall concept but ignored the specific details.)
  • The general addressed his troops before the battle. (The high-ranking military officer spoke to his soldiers.)

• Verb:

  • The army was generaled by a brilliant strategist. (The army was commanded by a brilliant strategist.)

Advanced Usage

• "In general": As a whole; usually; for the most part.

  • In general, the weather is mild here. (Usually, the weather here is mild.)

• "As a general rule": Usually; typically.

  • As a general rule, it's best to arrive early. (It is usually best to arrive early.)

Variants and Related Words

• Generally (adverb): In a general way; usually.
  • I generally agree with you. (I mostly agree with you.)
• Generality (noun): A statement that is general and not specific; the quality of being general.
  • He spoke in generalities and avoided concrete details.
• Generalize (verb): To make a general or broad statement by inferring from specific cases.
  • It is dangerous to generalize about a whole group from one example.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Common, universal, widespread, overall, broad, comprehensive, public, prevalent.
• Noun: Overall concept, principle; commander, officer.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Specific, particular, detailed, specialized, local, individual.
• Noun: Specific, detail; private (soldier).

Related Phrases

• General public: Ordinary people, not experts or specialists.
  • The product is now available to the general public.
• General election: An election for representatives from an entire country or region.
  • The general election will be held next month.
• General practitioner (GP): A doctor who treats all types of illnesses, not a specialist.
  • You should see your general practitioner first.

Adjective

1. of worldwide scope or applicability
   • an issue of cosmopolitan import
   • the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time- Christopher Morley
   • universal experience
2. somewhat indefinite
   • bearing a general resemblance to the original
   • a general description of the merchandise
3. affecting the entire body
   • a general anesthetic
   • general symptoms
4. prevailing among and common to the general public
   • the general discontent
5. not specialized or limited to one class of things
   • general studies
   • general knowledge
6. applying to all or most members of a category or group
   • the general public
   • general assistance
   • a general rule
   • in general terms
   • comprehensible to the general reader

Noun

1. a fact about the whole (as opposed to particular)
   • he discussed the general but neglected the particular
2. the head of a religious order or congregation
3. a general officer of the highest rank

Verb

1. command as a general
   • We are generaled by an incompetent!