general

comparative more general · superlative most general · alternative General · alternative gen. · alternative gen · alternative Gen. · alternative Gen · alternative genl · alternative gen'l · alternative Genl · alternative Gen'l · alternative obsolete generall

1. Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal.First known use 13th c.

   "Among us!" was the general shout, and Peppersorn sat frozen to his chair.

   1842, Douglas Jerrold, “Mr Peppersorn ‘At Home’”, in Cakes and Ale

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   It is generall / To be mortall: / I haue well espyde / No man may hym hyde / From Deth holow eyed […].

   c. 1495, John Skelton, "Vppon a deedman's hed"

   That each, who seems a separate whole, Should move his rounds, and fusing all The skirts of self again, should fall Remerging in the general Soul, Is faith as vague as all unsweet: […]

   1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XLVI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 69

   Undoubtedly the age of the Antonines was much better than any later age until the Renaissance, from the point of view of the general happiness.

   1946, Bertrand Russell, “Stoicism”, in History of Western Philosophy, book 1, part 3

   One advantage of having profitable companies in Britain is that they pay large sums in corporate tax into the Exchequer, which in theory at least is used for the general good.

   2006 October 15, Ruth Sutherland, “Invite public to the private equity party”, in The Observer

   Synonyms: common, universal, catholic, common, ecumenical, generic, nonsingular, nonspecific · Antonyms: specific, special, particular, concrete, discrete, individual, particular, peculiar

2. postpositionalsometimesApplied to a person (as a postmodifier or a normal preceding adjective) to indicate supreme rank, in civil or military titles, and later in other terms; pre-eminent.First known use 14th c.

   For these successes he obtained the rank of Field-Marshal General.

   1865, Edward Cust, Lives of the Warriors of the Thirty Years War, page 527

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   He becomes the chief chartered libertine, the whoremaster-general flourishing his "standard" over a female army […].

   2002, James Turner, Libertines and Radicals in Early Modern London, page 122

3. Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.First known use 14th c.

   ‘I can't quite afford you the sympathy you expect upon this score,’ I replied; ‘the misfortune is so general, that it belongs to one half of the species […].’

   1817, Sir Walter Scott, chapter IX, in Rob Roy

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   The general opinion on Baz Luhrmann's overstuffed epic Australia seems to be that it throws in everything but the kitchen sink, and then tosses that in too, just to be sure.

   2008 December 20, John Patterson, “Home movies”, in The Guardian

   Synonyms: typical, usual, common, average, basic, bog-standard, common, common as bums · Antonyms: abnormal, uncommon

4. Not limited in use or application; applicable across a broad range.First known use 14th c.

   M. Venizelos went to Athens from Paris early last January in response to a general invitation from the Greek populace.

   1924 March 17, Time

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   Already in the primary school work is conducted for the purpose of equipping the pupils with those elements of general knowledge which are closely related to the military preparation of future warriors.

   1947 October 20, “Russian Catechism”, in Time

   Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a general term indicating a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) coming from the top chambers of the heart - in essence, above (supra) the lower chamber (ventricular).

   2009, Douglas P. Zipes, Saturday Evening Post, volume 281, number 1, page 20

   Synonyms: broad, generic, catholic, common, ecumenical, generic, nonsingular, nonspecific

5. Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.First known use 16th c.

   As she thus spoke, the entrance of the servants with dinner cut off all conversation but that of a general nature.

   1817, Sir Walter Scott, chapter X, in Rob Roy

   3 more examples

   There was a moment's pause. The Princess broke in with some casual remark and once more the conversation became general.

   1941, W Somerset Maugham, Up at the Villa, Vintage, published 2004, page 24

   The quick answer is that the 1893 Exposition was simply so important — "the greatest event in the history of the country since the Civil War," as Harper's put it that October — but that feels too general.

   2006 July 16, Kevin Nance, “Ghosts of the White City”, in Chicago Sun-Times

   Given the scarcity of relevant historical detail in the New Testament, we are left with only a general outline about Joseph.

   2008, Robert P. Maloney, “The Quiet Carpenter”, in America, volume 199, number 19, page 18

6. Not of a specific class; miscellaneous.First known use 16th c.

   general goods

   1 more example

   His measured, springless walk was the walk of the skilled countryman as distinct from the desultory shamble of the general labourer […].

   2007, Alan Cheuse, “A Little Death”, in Southern Review, volume 43, number 3, page 692

plural generals · alternative General · alternative gen. · alternative gen · alternative Gen. · alternative Gen · alternative genl · alternative gen'l · alternative Genl · alternative Gen'l · alternative obsolete generall

1. countableuncountablegovernmentThe holder of a senior military title, originally designating the commander of an army and now a specific rank falling under field marshal (in the British army) and below general of the army or general of the air force in the US army and air forces.First known use 16th c.

   General Eisenhower was the first SACEUR.

2. countableuncountableA great strategist or tactician.First known use 16th c.

   Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.

3. archaiccountableuncountableA general fact or proposition; a generality.First known use 16th c.

   We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.

4. countableuncountableChristianityThe head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.First known use 16th c.
5. countableuncountableboard gamesThe equivalent of a king in Chinese chess, the xiangqi piece that is confined to the palace, moves orthogonally one point at a time, and whose loss decides the game.
6. countableobsoleteuncountablenauticalSynonym of admiral, a senior naval title, a great naval strategist or tactician.First known use 16th–18th c.

   Synonyms: admiral

7. abbreviationcolloquialcountablehistoricaluncountableShort for general servant, a maid-of-all-work, a servant able to be assigned to any task in a household.First known use 19th c.

   My general is sister to your second housemaid.

   1918 March, Rebecca West [pseudonym; Cicily Isabel Fairfield], chapter I, in The Return of the Soldier, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., published 1918, →OCLC, page 18

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   Then the servants left and there was only one, a General. A great deal of your comfort and happiness depends on having a good General.

   1899, E. Nesbit, The Story of the Treasure Seekers

8. abbreviationcountableShort for general election, a regular election for most offices in a region or country.

   Sure, this candidate is the favorite in the primary among the party faithful, but how is he going to do in the general?

9. abbreviationcountableShort for general anesthetic, a substance used to numb most feeling throughout the body.
10. abbreviationuncountableShort for general anesthesia, the category of substances used to numb most feeling throughout the body or an instance of such substances.
11. abbreviationuncountablebusinessShort for general insurance, the area of the insurance industry dealing with policies for the general public.

    I work in general.

present singular third person generals · US participle present generaling · UK participle present generalling · US participle past generaled · US past generaled · UK participle past generalled · UK past generalled · alternative General · alternative gen. · alternative gen · alternative Gen. · alternative Gen · alternative genl · alternative gen'l · alternative Genl · alternative Gen'l

1. To lead (soldiers) as a general.

   Generalled by Mrs. Hauksbee, who, again, had all Mrs. Mallowe's wisdom at her disposal, proud of himself and, in the end, believing in himself because he was believed in, Otis Yeere stood ready for any fortune that might befall, certain that it would be good.

   1889, Rudyard Kipling, “The Education of Otis Yeere”, in Under the Deodars, Boston: The Greenock Press, published 1899, page 38

alternative General · alternative gen. · alternative gen · alternative Gen. · alternative Gen · alternative genl · alternative gen'l · alternative Genl · alternative Gen'l · alternative obsolete generall

1. not comparableobsoleteIn a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.

plural Generals · alternative Gen. · alternative Gen · alternative Genl · alternative Gen'l

1. Alternative letter-case form of general in its various senses.

   You're going to have to tell that to the president yourself, General.

2. The title used by a military general, flag rank officer of the military

   The rally was organised to protest against the removal of a statue of General Lee, who commanded the pro-slavery Confederate forces during the American Civil War.

   2017 August 23, “ESPN reassigns commentator Robert Lee over 'name coincidence'”, in BBC, archived from the original on 15 Jul 2025

   1 more example

   General Polk stated, with all respect to General Bragg’s great abilities in the direction of organization and discipline, that he had been wanting in the higher elements of generalship in the conduct of the campaign; and that, in view of the admitted possibilities of the campaign, he considered it a failure—an opinion, he said, he believed Generals Smith and Hardee shared with him. He further said that General Bragg had lost the confidence of his generals, and, in answer to a suggestion from the President of a change of commanders, requested that General Joseph E. Johnston should be assigned to the command of the army, if a change were made.

   1893, William M[ecklenburg] Polk, “The Kentucky Campaign”, in Leonidas Polk, Bishop and General, volume II, London: Longmans, Green, and Co. and New York: […], page 158

alternative Gen. · alternative Gen · alternative Genl · alternative Gen'l

1. abbreviationellipsisinformalmedicineEllipsis of General Hospital.

   The ambulance is taking him to General. Owerri West General Hospital or Owerri North? Obinze is still in charge of West General. If it's that one, turn it around now.