General

/ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹəl/ adj, adv, name, noun, verb, slang

adj, adv, name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: 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.
  • Grammar: general is listed as adj, adv, name, noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: abstract, abstract noun, abstract system, accepted.
  • Useful contrasts: exceptional, special, academic discipline research.
  • Usage evidence: With the heirless king going crazy and royal family poisoned, the general of the army finally had his chance to usurp the throne.

How to use "general"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "general" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "general" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "general" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "general" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "general" is acting as adj, adv, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "abstract" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "general", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    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. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    Alternative letter-case form of general in its various senses. alt-of

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

  3. 3
    a fact about the whole (as opposed to particular) wordnet
  4. 4
    A great strategist or tactician. countable, uncountable

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

  5. 5
    a general officer of the highest rank wordnet
Show 9 more definitions
  1. 6
    A general fact or proposition; a generality. archaic, countable, uncountable

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

  2. 7
    the head of a religious order or congregation wordnet
  3. 8
    The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits. countable, uncountable
  4. 9
    A commander of naval forces; an admiral. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    A general servant; a maid-of-all-work. colloquial, countable, historical, uncountable

    "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."

  6. 11
    A general anesthetic. countable
  7. 12
    General anesthesia. uncountable
  8. 13
    The general insurance industry. uncountable

    "I work in general."

  9. 14
    A xiangqi piece that is moved one point orthogonally and confined within the palace. countable, uncountable
Verb
  1. 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."

  2. 2
    command as a general wordnet
Adjective
  1. 1
    Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal.

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

  2. 2
    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. postpositional, sometimes

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

  3. 3
    Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.

    "‘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 […].’"

  4. 4
    Not limited in use or application; applicable across a broad range.

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

  5. 5
    Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.

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

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    Not of a specific class; miscellaneous.

    "general goods"

Adjective
  1. 1
    prevailing among and common to the general public wordnet
  2. 2
    of worldwide scope or applicability wordnet
  3. 3
    not specialized or limited to one class of things wordnet
  4. 4
    applying to all or most members of a category or group wordnet
  5. 5
    affecting the entire body wordnet
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    somewhat indefinite wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole. not-comparable, obsolete
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    Ellipsis of General Hospital. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, informal

    "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."

Synonyms

All synonyms
abstractabstract nounabstract systemacceptedaccustomedacross the board

Antonyms

exceptionalspecialacademic discipline researchadvanced english learner

Example

"With the heirless king going crazy and royal family poisoned, the general of the army finally had his chance to usurp the throne."

Common questions

What does "general" mean?

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.

What is a synonym for "general"?

Common synonyms include: abstract, abstract noun, abstract system, accepted, accustomed, across the board.

How do you use "general" in a sentence?

With the heirless king going crazy and royal family poisoned, the general of the army finally had his chance to usurp the throne.

How do you pronounce "general"?

Pronounced /ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹəl/.

Etymology

From Middle English general, in turn from Anglo-Norman general, generall, Middle French general, and their source, Latin generālis, from genus (“class, kind”) + -ālis (“-al”); thus morphologically parallel with, and a doublet of, generic.

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