Synonyms for general
- adjective
- noun
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Common — prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual
common, public, usual, regular, frequent, typical, everyday, popular, average, prevalent, familiar, habitual, normal, customary, ordinary, commonplace, routine, epidemic, vulgar, workaday
2. Universal — including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all…
universal, overall, comprehensive, national, catholic, world-wide, extensive, cosmopolitan, sweeping, ecumenical rare, unparticular rare
3. Generic — not limited in use or application; applicable across a broad range
generic, broad, non-specific, unspecific, vague, ill-defined, abstract, imprecise, indefinite
Other
Noun
Definitions
- adj. 1
Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal.
- adj. 2
Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
- adj. 3
Not limited in use or application; applicable across a broad range.
- n. 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.
General Eisenhower was the first SACEUR.
Forms
- Plural
- generals → chiefs, admirals, generalissimos…
Choose the right word
General may signify pertaining equally to all of a class, race, etc., but very commonly signifies pertaining to the greater number, but not necessarily to all.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- public Everyone more or less likes showing off in public.
- typical The typical Japanese person doesn't speak English.
- prevalent Plastic is the most prevalent type of marine debris.
- overall The overall trend shows a decline in bird species.
- universal The egg is a universal symbol of life and rebirth.
By length
- 3 letters
- lax1
- 5 letters
- chief1, usual3, broad1, vague1
- 6 letters
- public2, common2, normal2, vulgar2
- 7 letters
- average3, popular3, regular3, overall3, typical3, routine2, generic3, admiral3
- 8 letters
- national3, familiar3, everyday3, catholic2, ordinary4, frequent2, abstract2, epidemic4, sweeping2, habitual4, workaday3
- 9 letters
- universal4, extensive3, prevalent3, customary4, imprecise3
- 10 letters
- indefinite4, ecumenical5, unspecific
- 11 letters
- commonplace3
- 12 letters
- cosmopolitan5, unparticular
- 13 letters
- comprehensive4, generalissimo6
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (usual3 = 3 syllables).