1 gen·er·al
Pronounced:
/ˈʤɛnrəl/
Function:
adjectiveMeaning:
1 always used before a noun : of, relating to, or affecting all the people or things in a group ▪ They have issued a general warning/order. ▪ a general alarm : involving or including many or most people ▪ The general mood here is optimistic. [=most people here are optimistic] ▪ The general consensus is that we should go ahead. ▪ It's a story with general interest. = It's a general-interest story. [=it is a story that will interest many or most people]
2 a [more gen*er*al; most gen*er*al] : relating to the main or major parts of something rather than the details : not specific ▪ The witness was able to provide a very general description of the thief. ▪ She began her talk with some general observations about the state of the industry. ▪ The book provides a good general introduction to the subject. ▪ My concerns are all general—nothing specific. ▪ The details of the new plan are different, but it's based on the same general concept/idea. ▪ My general impression was that things were going well. b always used before a noun —used to indicate that a description relates to an entire person or thing rather than a particular part ▪ The building was in good general shape. ▪ Her general [=overall] health is good.
3 always used before a noun : not exact : approximate ▪ They were found in the same general area. ▪ I'm going in the general direction of the store.
4 always used before a noun : ordinary, normal, or usual ▪ Their general practice in such cases is to offer a deal. = As a general rule, they offer a deal in such cases. [=they usually/generally offer a deal in such cases]
5 : of the basic or usual kind : not special or specialized ▪ a general hospital ▪ a science book for the general reader [=the reader who is not a scientist] ▪ a doctor practicing general medicine [=basic health care that is not specialized]
6 always used before a noun : of high rank : having wide authority or responsibility ▪ a general manager ▪ a general contractor [=a contractor who is in charge of a building project] —see also attorney general, inspector general
2 a [more gen*er*al; most gen*er*al] : relating to the main or major parts of something rather than the details : not specific ▪ The witness was able to provide a very general description of the thief. ▪ She began her talk with some general observations about the state of the industry. ▪ The book provides a good general introduction to the subject. ▪ My concerns are all general—nothing specific. ▪ The details of the new plan are different, but it's based on the same general concept/idea. ▪ My general impression was that things were going well. b always used before a noun —used to indicate that a description relates to an entire person or thing rather than a particular part ▪ The building was in good general shape. ▪ Her general [=overall] health is good.
3 always used before a noun : not exact : approximate ▪ They were found in the same general area. ▪ I'm going in the general direction of the store.
4 always used before a noun : ordinary, normal, or usual ▪ Their general practice in such cases is to offer a deal. = As a general rule, they offer a deal in such cases. [=they usually/generally offer a deal in such cases]
5 : of the basic or usual kind : not special or specialized ▪ a general hospital ▪ a science book for the general reader [=the reader who is not a scientist] ▪ a doctor practicing general medicine [=basic health care that is not specialized]
6 always used before a noun : of high rank : having wide authority or responsibility ▪ a general manager ▪ a general contractor [=a contractor who is in charge of a building project] —see also attorney general, inspector general