Added 5 October 2026
general
/ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹəl/ adjective
In Latin: generālis Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about general at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
- Applied to a person (as a postmodifier or a normal preceding adjective) to indicate supreme rank, in civil or military titles, and later in other terms; pre-eminent.
- Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
noun
-
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.
-
A great strategist or tactician.
Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
-
A general fact or proposition; a generality.
We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.
verb
adverb
- In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.
Origin
From Middle English general, in turn from Anglo-Norman general, generall, Middle French general, and their source, Latin generālis, from genus (“class, kind”) + -ālis (“-al”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)