in general
Idioms-
Referring to a group of persons or a subject as a whole, as opposed to particular ones. For example, I am speaking about contracts in general , or Girls in general mature at a younger age than boys . [Late 1300s] For an antonym, see in particular .
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For the most part; commonly, usually. For example, In general the children behaved very well , or Our winters are quite mild in general . [Early 1700s]
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.
"Without butterflies, and pollinators in general, there's no flowers, no food, no plants."
From BBC • May 22, 2026
Yet despite this pressure on bond markets, the impact on stocks and risk assets in general has been relatively limited — so far at least.
From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026
Speaking of “Hacks” folks whose names do not rhyme with Schmanna Schmeinbinder, Kristen Baldwin offers one neat trick to fix stuff in general: “A modest proposal to Hollywood: Cast Robby Hoffman in everything.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
Chip stocks in general faced their worst two-day decline since October, and big tech overall was the biggest drag on the market today.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
The way I feel on the roads is how I’ve felt in general since we arrived in this country.
From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan
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.
