general public: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral; commonly used in administrative, media, and political contexts.
Quick answer
What does “general public” mean?
The ordinary people in society, as opposed to specialists, experts, or particular groups.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinary people in society, as opposed to specialists, experts, or particular groups.
The collective body of people who are not part of a specific organization, profession, or in-group; the mainstream population whose access or knowledge is not restricted.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical in both varieties. Slightly more frequent in British administrative/official language.
Connotations
In both varieties, can sometimes sound slightly bureaucratic or impersonal.
Frequency
High frequency in formal contexts (news, government documents, marketing); medium in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “general public” in a Sentence
[verb] + the general public (e.g., advise, inform, educate, exclude)[adjective] + to the general public (e.g., available, accessible, open, unknown)the general public + [verb] (e.g., the general public believes, has access, needs to know)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “general public” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The exhibition will be open to the general public from next Friday.
- There is concern among the general public about the new policy.
- The report was too technical for the general public.
American English
- The park is now open to the general public.
- The general public has a right to know.
- This information isn't meant for the general public.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to potential customers or end-users outside the industry.
Academic
Contrasts research findings or specialized knowledge with common understanding.
Everyday
Used when discussing events, facilities, or information that is available to everyone.
Technical
Used in law, policy, or engineering to define non-specialist stakeholders or users.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “general public”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “general public”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “general public”
- Using a plural verb (e.g., 'the general public are' – though this is sometimes accepted in UK English, 'is' is safer).
- Confusing it with 'public in general' (which is more vague).
- Overusing it where 'people' or 'the public' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically treated as a singular collective noun in formal writing (The general public is...). In British English, plural verbs are sometimes used (The general public are...), especially when emphasizing individual members. For learners, using the singular verb is recommended.
'The general public' often carries a stronger implication of 'non-specialist, ordinary people' and is used to explicitly contrast with a specific group. 'The public' is more general and can sometimes include a broader range of people, including interested parties or stakeholders. They are often interchangeable, but 'general public' is more specific.
No, never. 'General public' is a fixed compound noun where 'general' is an adjective. It does not pluralize as 'generals public'. The plural is simply 'the general public' (unchanged) or you can refer to 'members of the general public'.
It is not inherently rude, but it can sound impersonal or bureaucratic. In contexts where you want to sound more inclusive or respectful, phrases like 'the community', 'people', or 'everyone' might be preferable. It depends largely on tone and context.
The ordinary people in society, as opposed to specialists, experts, or particular groups.
General public is usually formal to neutral; commonly used in administrative, media, and political contexts. in register.
General public: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒen.rəl ˈpʌb.lɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒen.ɚ.əl ˈpʌb.lɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bring it to the general public”
- “A closed book to the general public”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'general' store open to everyone – the 'general public' is everyone, not a specific group.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PUBLIC IS A BODY (the body politic); KNOWLEDGE/ACCESS IS A GATE (open/closed to the general public).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'the general public' LEAST appropriately used?