What does general mean?
General means broad, overall, or typical rather than limited to one particular person, case, or detail. It is used to describe general rules, general knowledge, the general public, and conditions that affect a whole group or subject. Because it does not identify a specific exception, the word can suggest that a statement is widely applicable, though it may also convey vagueness when precision is required. As a noun, general most commonly denotes a senior military commander, but it can also refer to someone or something considered in an overall, non-specialized way. The rarer verbal use means to lead troops as a general. The related adverb generally expresses the usual or normal case: in general, the system works well. Together, these forms make general a useful word for moving from a broad perspective to more focused discussion, while the choice between general and specific often determines how exact the description will be.
Broad or overall; not limited to one particular person, thing, case, or detail.
"The proposal met with general approval."
The meaning can range from 'applying to everyone' to 'vague', depending on context.
A senior officer commanding an army or a major branch of an armed force; also, less commonly, a person or thing regarded in an overall way.
"The general was promoted after the campaign."
The military sense is normally capitalized when used as a title, as in General Smith.
In a general way; as a whole or without focusing on specifics.
"The results were general rather than highly detailed."
This use is uncommon; generally is normally preferred.
To lead or command troops as a general.
"The experienced officer was chosen to general the campaign."
This is a rare and literary use; lead or command is more usual in modern English.
Used for more than one military commander or for multiple people holding the rank or position of general.
"The two generals met to discuss the peace negotiations."
General began in Latin as a way of saying 'of the whole kind'—a fitting ancestor for a word now used to describe everything from rules and knowledge to military rank.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does general come from?
The word descends through Old French from Latin generalis, an adjective meaning 'of the whole kind' or 'general,' formed from genus, 'kind, class.' It entered Middle English in this broad sense and was later applied to the senior officer who commands an army. Related English words such as generic, generous, generation, and genus preserve the same Latin root or its close developments.
Related word forms
How general is actually used
General is often used when the details are unimportant or have not yet been specified. It can therefore sound vague when a precise word is available. Generally is the usual adverb; using general by itself as an adverb is uncommon. In military contexts, general is a rank and is normally written with a capital letter when used as a title.
Easily confused with general
General is an adjective, while generally is the standard adverb meaning 'in most cases' or 'as a rule'.
General means broad or overall, whereas generous describes someone who gives freely or abundantly.