Generality
noun
A statement or idea that is true in most situations or for most people.
She spoke in generalities, avoiding any specifics about her life.
Often appears as...
- generalities about life
- vague generalities
noun
The quality or state of being general like covering many parts or areas.
The generality of the law allows it to be applied widely.
Often appears as...
- the generality of the public
- generality of cases
noun
A statement or idea that is true in most situations or for most people.
She spoke in generalities, avoiding any specifics about her life.
Often appears as...
- generalities about life
- vague generalities
noun
The quality or state of being general like covering many parts or areas.
The generality of the law allows it to be applied widely.
Often appears as...
- the generality of the public
- generality of cases
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Avoiding Specifics
Use 'generality' when you want to describe something broadly without giving away details.
He spoke in generalities about the company's goals.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Vague
'Generality' can imply that someone is being intentionally non-specific, sometimes to avoid a topic.
She answered with a generality to sidestep the controversial question.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Everyone
Even though 'generality' applies to most situations or people, it doesn't mean 'all'.
The movie received general praise, but there were a few critics.
Pro Tip 1/3Avoiding Specifics
Use 'generality' when you want to describe something broadly without giving away details.
He spoke in generalities about the company's goals.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Vague
'Generality' can imply that someone is being intentionally non-specific, sometimes to avoid a topic.
She answered with a generality to sidestep the controversial question.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Everyone
Even though 'generality' applies to most situations or people, it doesn't mean 'all'.
The movie received general praise, but there were a few critics.
Pro Tip 1/3Avoiding Specifics
Use 'generality' when you want to describe something broadly without giving away details.
He spoke in generalities about the company's goals.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Vague
'Generality' can imply that someone is being intentionally non-specific, sometimes to avoid a topic.
She answered with a generality to sidestep the controversial question.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Everyone
Even though 'generality' applies to most situations or people, it doesn't mean 'all'.
The movie received general praise, but there were a few critics.
Never forget "Generality"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Itamar Mann: A new...
On a high level of generality, the question is when is a point of contact established between a person in need of protection and a state that can protect them. I've called this moment the human rights encounter. It is a dramatic moment
Video examples
Lifesaving Medicines...
snake and everybody ronster it's it's it's it's it's a very nice feeling to find find a snake and I find them absolutely beautiful and what we do with these snakes are not just a middle Viper but you know in the generality
Video examples
Itamar Mann: A new...
On a high level of generality, the question is when is a point of contact established between a person in need of protection and a state that can protect them. I've called this moment the human rights encounter. It is a dramatic moment
Video examples
Lifesaving Medicines...
snake and everybody ronster it's it's it's it's it's a very nice feeling to find find a snake and I find them absolutely beautiful and what we do with these snakes are not just a middle Viper but you know in the generality
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Jesse Andrews
American Novelist
The Haters' has some of the generalities of band experiences that I've had - the camaraderie, the grubbiness, the outsized collective ambitions and frequent painful collisions with reality - but very few of the specifics. I guess it was a way for me to take some of my experiences to their logical crazy extremes.
Quote examples
Jim Henson
American Entertainer
If you're doing a large, complicated character with radio controls, it might take a number of people several months to make it and if you're talking about a quick little hand puppet, it could be made in 2 days, so there's enormous range there, and no real easy generalities.
Quote examples
Eleanor Roosevelt
American First Lady
Sometimes I wonder if we shall ever grow up in our politics and say definite things which mean something, or whether we shall always go on using generalities to which everyone can subscribe, and which mean very little.
Quote examples
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
German Businessman
Developing Christlike attributes in our lives is not an easy task, especially when we move away from generalities and abstractions and begin to deal with real life. The test comes in practicing what we proclaim.
Quote examples
Howard Nemerov
American Poet
History is one of those marvelous and necessary illusions we have to deal with. It's one of the ways of dealing with our world with impossible generalities which we couldn't live without.
Quote examples
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
French Writer
The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Quote examples
Jacques Derrida
French Philosopher
As soon as there is language, generality has entered the scene.
Quote examples
Knute Rockne
American Coach
Generalities don't count and won't help you in football.
Quote examples
George Ade
American Playwright
For parlor use, the vague generality is a life saver.
Quote examples
Alfred North Whitehead
English Mathematician
We think in generalities, but we live in detail.
Quote examples
Jesse Andrews
American Novelist
The Haters' has some of the generalities of band experiences that I've had - the camaraderie, the grubbiness, the outsized collective ambitions and frequent painful collisions with reality - but very few of the specifics. I guess it was a way for me to take some of my experiences to their logical crazy extremes.
Quote examples
Jim Henson
American Entertainer
If you're doing a large, complicated character with radio controls, it might take a number of people several months to make it and if you're talking about a quick little hand puppet, it could be made in 2 days, so there's enormous range there, and no real easy generalities.
Quote examples
Eleanor Roosevelt
American First Lady
Sometimes I wonder if we shall ever grow up in our politics and say definite things which mean something, or whether we shall always go on using generalities to which everyone can subscribe, and which mean very little.
Quote examples
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
German Businessman
Developing Christlike attributes in our lives is not an easy task, especially when we move away from generalities and abstractions and begin to deal with real life. The test comes in practicing what we proclaim.
Quote examples
Howard Nemerov
American Poet
History is one of those marvelous and necessary illusions we have to deal with. It's one of the ways of dealing with our world with impossible generalities which we couldn't live without.
Quote examples
Francois de La Rochefoucauld
French Writer
The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Quote examples
Jacques Derrida
French Philosopher
As soon as there is language, generality has entered the scene.
Quote examples
Knute Rockne
American Coach
Generalities don't count and won't help you in football.
Quote examples
George Ade
American Playwright
For parlor use, the vague generality is a life saver.
Quote examples
Alfred North Whitehead
English Mathematician
We think in generalities, but we live in detail.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension