generally
Americanadverb
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usually; commonly; ordinarily.
He generally comes home at noon.
- Antonyms:
- seldom
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with respect to the larger part; for the most part.
a generally accurate interpretation of the facts.
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without reference to or disregarding particular persons, things, situations, etc., that may be an exception.
generally speaking.
adverb
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usually; as a rule
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commonly or widely
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without reference to specific details or facts; broadly
Synonym Usage
See often.
Etymology
Origin of generally
Explanation
Generally means "usually" or "broadly." If something is generally true, it is usually true. If you generally dislike birthday celebrations, don’t be mad when no one throws you a party. If something is right generally, then it's right most of the time, though perhaps not in every case. Generally, dogs are more playful than cats. Generally, young people are healthier than old people. Generally, people like music. This word is handy when you need to say something that is true for most, but not all, people or things. This word helps you to generalize.
Vocabulary lists containing generally
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While the chassis rules have generally been a hit - even if the cars are a little slower than last year - the new engines most definitely have not.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
As a result, the artwork was generally considered impossible to date directly.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
Higher premiums for the Part D plans could push more Medicare enrollees into Medicare Advantage, the private-insurer version of Medicare, which generally wrap in drug benefits and often charge no premiums at all.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Food banks and other local service providers are typically prepared for emergencies like wildfires and the occasional government shutdown — events that are temporarily disruptive but generally not ongoing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Henry, generally, was clean as a cat, and I’d never even seen him take off his coat without hanging it up immediately.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
