English
general
see also: General
Pronunciation
  • (British, America) IPA: /ˈd͡ʒɛnɹəl/
  • (America) IPA: /ˈd͡ʒɛnəɹəl/
Adjective

general

  1. Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to specific or particular. [from 13th c.]
  2. (sometimes postpositive) Applied 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. [from 14th c.]
  3. Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual. [from 14th c.]
  4. Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category. [from 14th c.]
  5. Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite. [from 16th c.]
  6. Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area. [from 16th c.]
Synonyms Antonyms Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Noun

general

  1. (now, rare) A general fact or proposition; a generality. [from 16th c.]
    We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.
  2. (military ranks) The 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. [from 16th c.]
  3. A great strategist or tactician. [from 16th c.]
    Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
  4. (Christianity) The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits. [from 16th c.]
  5. (nautical) A commander of naval forces; an admiral. [16th-18th c.]
  6. (colloquial, now, historical) A general servant; a maid with no specific duties. [from 19th c.]
  7. (countable) A general anesthetic.
  8. (uncountable) General anesthesia.
  9. (uncountable, insurance) The general insurance industry.
    I work in general.
Translations Verb

general (generals, present participle generalling; past and past participle generalled)

  1. To lead (soldiers) as a general.
Adverb

general (not comparable)

  1. (obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.
General
Noun

general (uncountable)

  1. (military) The military officer title
Proper noun
  1. (informal, medicine) Short for General Hospital. or "X General Hospital" (where X is a stand-in for another part of the name), a common hospital name.


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