general
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- common, accepted, broad, extensive, popular, prevalent, public, universal, widespread
- imprecise, approximate, ill-defined, indefinite, inexact, loose, unspecific, vague
- universal, across-the-board, blanket, collective, comprehensive, indiscriminate, miscellaneous, sweeping, total

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Contrasted words: abnormal, extraordinary, irregular, novel, strange, unexpected, unforeseeable, unusual, individual, particular, special, characteristic, distinctive, peculiar
Related Words: everyday, popular, familiar, universal, habitual, humdrum, routine, uneventful, natural, normal, regular, typical, broad, inclusive, wide

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. gen‧e‧ral¹ S1 W1 /ˈdʒenərəl/ adjective [usually before noun]
[Word Family: noun: generalization, general, generalist, generality; adjective: general, generalist, generalized; verb: generalize; adverb: generally]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: French; Origin: Latin generalis 'of the whole type', from genus; ⇒ genus]

1. NOT DETAILED describing or relating to only the main features or parts of something, not the details:
a general introduction to computing
I skimmed through it to get a general impression of the text.
I have a general idea of what I want to express.
He spoke in general terms about greater competitiveness.

2. in general
a) usually or in most situations:
In general, about 10% of the candidates are eventually offered positions.
b) used when talking about the whole of a situation, group, or thing, rather than specific parts of it:
a feeling of dissatisfaction with life in general
These policies are unpopular with politicians and people in general.
We’re trying to raise awareness about the environment in general and air pollution in particular.

3. RELATING TO WHOLE involving the whole of a situation, group, or thing, rather than specific parts of it:
There has been a general decline in standards.
ways to improve your general health

4. ORDINARY ordinary or usual:
general cooking and cleaning
I hate paperwork as a general rule.

5. MOST PEOPLE shared by or affecting most people, or most of the people in a group:
These courses are based around topics of general interest.
How soon can the drug be made available for general use?

6. NOT LIMITED not limited to one use, activity, subject etc:
The next ten minutes passed in general conversation.
It’s a good general fertilizer.
Watford General Hospital
This type of microphone is suitable for general use.

7. APPROXIMATE used to talk about an approximate area or direction:
Pat and his friend were in the general area of the crime when it happened.
They started walking in the general direction of the pub.

8. JOB used in the name of a job to show that the person who does it has complete responsibility:
the general manager
the Attorney General

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. general² noun
[Word Family: noun: generalization, general, generalist, generality; adjective: general, generalist, generalized; verb: generalize; adverb: generally]
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: general officer]
[countable] an officer of very high rank in the army or air force

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

general
noun
GENERAL + VERB command sth, lead sth Both generals had commanded units in that area.
 ⇒ Note at RANK

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

general
̈ɪˈdʒenərəl
See: in general

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲