generally
- 1In most cases; as a rule; usually.
The trains generally arrive on time, though delays do happen.
Customers generally prefer the cheaper option when given a choice.
UsageSits where usually would: before the main verb (generally arrive) or after be (are generally cold).
Similarusually, normally, typically, mostly, ordinarily
Oppositerarely, seldom, occasionally
Note
The American novelist Winston Churchill's The Celebrity (1897) has "there was generally a cover laid for him." To check the reading, swap in usually. If the sentence keeps its meaning, this is the sense, not the "widely held" meaning, which tells you how many people rather than how often.
- 2In a broad way, without reference to specific details.
The report describes the problem generally, leaving the specifics for a later section.
She answered generally, avoiding any mention of the exact figures.
UsageIts fixed phrase is generally speaking, which usually comes before a broad statement. You can also speak or talk generally.
Similarbroadly, vaguely, loosely, roughly
Oppositespecifically, precisely, exactly
Note
Dickens stretches it in Dombey and Son: the Chicken asks for a drink "generally," addressing the whole room rather than anyone in particular. In a phrase like generally malnourished it means "overall"; before many other adjectives, as in generally safe, it is the "usually" meaning, and only context tells them apart.
- 3Popularly or widely; among most people.
The theory is generally regarded as the best explanation we have.
The festival is generally considered the highlight of the year.
UsageUsually before a past participle: generally known, generally accepted, generally regarded as.
Similarwidely, commonly, popularly
Note
The Granite Monthly (1882) praised a New Hampshire law that had been "so generally copied in other states."
Less common meanings
- 4In the general case, applying to all instances without exception.
The principle applies generally, holding for every case in the set.
Mathematicians proved the statement generally, not merely for a handful of examples.
Similaruniversally
Note
A strict, all-cases sense, and an easy one to misread. A statement that is generally true in this sense holds every time, as with the angles of a Euclidean triangle summing to 180 degrees. In everyday prose the same words carry the "usually" meaning, which allows exceptions. Context decides: read it as "without exception" only when the text makes clear that every case is meant.
- 5Collectively; as a whole, with nothing left out.
I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionNote
Here the adverb keeps the whole-body force of general itself. In the King James Bible of 1611, Hushai counsels "that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee," meaning everyone together, with no one left out. The sense is obsolete. In older prose, read it as "all together," not "usually." In new writing, collectively or as a whole does the job without confusion.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
- General has a meaning encompassing every part or member of a whole. en.wiktionary.org
- The King James Bible was first published in 1611. en.wikipedia.org
- The quoted words occur in the King James Bible. en.wikisource.org
- Hushai gives this counsel to Absalom in 2 Samuel 17:11; the Bible reports his speech. en.wikisource.org
- Generally means collectively, without omissions, in this quotation, and that sense is obsolete. en.wiktionary.org
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English generally (also generalliche), formed from "general" plus the suffix "-ly".
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- Generally descends from Middle English generally, also generalliche, and is formed from general plus -ly. en.wiktionary.org