A2adjective1K

UK/["/ˈdʒenrəl/"]/US/["/ˈdʒenrəl/"]/

Meaning of General

In simple words: relating to most or all things, not specific

General in a sentence

  • The general idea of the project is to improve community health.
  • In general, I enjoy reading books on history.
  • The general opinion is that the new law will benefit everyone.
  • He gave a general overview of the meeting's agenda.
  • The general public often misunderstands complicated issues.

How to use General

Use 'general' when speaking about broad categories or concepts. Avoid in contexts requiring specificity. It often precedes nouns, e.g., 'general idea'.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'general' as 'general knowledge' — the broad things everyone knows.

Related words

Collocations with General

  • general idea
  • general public
  • general consensus
  • general information
  • in general

Opposites of General

Common mistakes with General

  • Confused with 'genital' which has a completely different meaning.
  • Using 'general' when 'specific' is needed.
  • Saying 'the general' when they mean 'in general'.

Compare General with Overall, Common, Universal, Collective, Broad

General appears in

General in other languages

More words like General

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Frequently asked questions about General

What does General mean?

relating to most or all things, not specific

What is the definition of General?

affecting all or most people, places or things

How do you use General in a sentence?

The general idea of the project is to improve community health.

Can you give another example of General?

In general, I enjoy reading books on history.

What are synonyms for General?

Common alternatives include overall, common, universal, collective, broad.

What is the opposite of General?

Opposite meanings include specific, particular.

What words go with General?

It commonly pairs with general idea, general public, general consensus, general information, in general.

What are common mistakes when using General?

Confused with 'genital' which has a completely different meaning. Using 'general' when 'specific' is needed. Saying 'the general' when they mean 'in general'.

How do you pronounce General?

US: /["/ˈdʒenrəl/"]/, UK: /["/ˈdʒenrəl/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use General?

Use 'general' when speaking about broad categories or concepts. Avoid in contexts requiring specificity. It often precedes nouns, e.g., 'general idea'.

What CEFR level is General?

"General" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.