Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
     
Lookup History
general
inexpiable

gen·er·al

general

 
 
pronunciation:
je n rl [or] jen rl
parts of speech:
adjective, noun
phrases:
in general
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: relating to or characteristic of all or most of some thing or group; not referring to, connected with, or limited to any one particular thing.
The library is open to the general public.He'll be having general anaesthesia instead of just a local anaesthetic.A "gem" is a general term for precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.I felt a general feeling of anxiety that morning.She had a career in general medicine before deciding to specialize.
synonyms:
blanket, collective, common, generic, universal
antonyms:
local, particular, restricted
similar words:
broad, comprehensive, global, inclusive, overall, popular, public
definition 2: not detailed or pertaining to specifics.
He gave us a general idea of what the new building would look like.Questions from the audience were of a general nature.
synonyms:
broad, indefinite, indeterminate, indistinct, nonspecific, vague
antonyms:
detailed, individual, particular, specific
similar words:
gross, inexact
definition 3: common, customary, or widespread.
The general opinion is that the plan has failed.The television came into general use years after its invention.Raising one's hand is a general method of requesting a turn to speak.
synonyms:
common, conventional, customary, habitual, ordinary, prevailing, regular, usual, widespread
antonyms:
exceptional, occasional, personal
similar words:
comprehensive, everyday, frequent, overall, prevalent, sweeping
Word Combinations  About this feature
(adj.)general + noun acceptance, admission, agreement, amnesty, anesthesia, assembly, assignment, assistance, attitude, aviation, category, circulation, classroom, conclusion, consensus, contractor, counsel, criteria, curriculum, decline, description, deterrence, diploma, direction, dissatisfaction, education, educator, election, framework, guideline, hassle, impression, lack, ledger, malaise, manager, merchandise, norm, obligation, outline, overview, partner, perception, populace, population, practitioner, principle, proposition, public, quantum, relativity, repair, requirement, revenue, rule, satisfaction, sewing, store, strike, tendency, term, theory, topic, trend, vicinity, welfare, well-being [See all][See only the most frequent]
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: an officer of high military rank in the U.S. and other armed forces.
The general ordered the troops to withdraw from the area.
 
similar words:
commanding officer, officer
definition 2: an idea or principle that can be applied to the whole.
similar words:
universality
Word Combinations  About this feature
adjective + (n.)general assistant, commanding, four-star, major, retired, senior, superior, top
verb + (n.)general appoint, retire
(n.)general + verb command, investigate
noun + (n.)general Help adjutant, army, attorney, brigadier, colonel, comptroller, consul, deputy, force, governor, inspector, lieutenant, postmaster, rank, solicitor, surgeon
phrase: in general
Word Explorer
See
  military, war
Word Parts  About this feature
The word general contains the following parts:
-al2, -ial, -ual Latin adjective-forming suffix that means pertaining to
Show wordsHide wordsMore about this word part:
The suffix -al2, -ial attaches primarily to nouns (national , environmental ) but sometimes to Latin or Greek roots (final , capital , comical ) to form adjectives. See also -ar1.