generality: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “generality” mean?
A broad statement that is true for most cases but lacks specific details.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A broad statement that is true for most cases but lacks specific details.
The quality of being broad or general; the majority or main part of something; the state of being general rather than specific.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The spelling 'generality' is consistent.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties: can imply vagueness or describe a broad principle.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in formal, academic, or bureaucratic contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “generality” in a Sentence
[verb] + in + generality (e.g., speak in generalities)[adjective] + generality (e.g., broad generality)generality + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., generality of the rule)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Critiqued in business reports: 'The proposal was full of generalities and lacked concrete financial projections.'
Academic
Used to discuss theories: 'The model works at a high level of generality but fails with specific case studies.'
Everyday
Used to criticise vague talk: 'Stop talking in generalities and tell me exactly what happened.'
Technical
Used in statistics or logic to refer to a rule that applies widely.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “generality”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “generality”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “generality”
- Using it as a synonym for 'majority' in all contexts (e.g., 'the generality of people agree' is formal/dated). Confusing with 'generalization' (which is the *process* of making something general).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent. In academic or scientific contexts, it can be neutral or positive (referring to a broad, applicable principle). In criticism of speech/writing, it is negative (implying vagueness).
'Generality' is a noun describing a *state* (of being general) or a *broad statement itself*. 'Generalization' is a noun describing the cognitive *process* of forming a general idea or the resulting statement. They often overlap, but 'generalization' is more commonly used for the process.
Yes, but this usage is now quite formal or dated (e.g., 'The generality of voters remained unconvinced'). In modern English, 'the majority' or 'most people' is preferred.
Pair it with positive adjectives ('useful generality', 'powerful generality') or frame it as a necessary step before specifics ('Starting from a broad generality, we then examined the particular cases.').
A broad statement that is true for most cases but lacks specific details.
Generality is usually formal, academic in register.
Generality: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒenəˈræləti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒenəˈræləti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Speak in generalities”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'GENERAL' + 'ITY' – the 'ity' makes it a noun, so it's the *state* of being general, not specific.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPECIFICITY IS CLARITY / VAGUENESS IS CLOUDINESS (Generality is associated with a 'fog' or 'cloud' over details).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'generality' used most negatively?