lieutenant general: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, official, technical (military)
Quick answer
What does “lieutenant general” mean?
A senior military rank, typically above a major general and below a general.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A senior military rank, typically above a major general and below a general.
A high-ranking officer in an army or air force; can also refer metaphorically to a person holding a secondary position of significant authority in a large organization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary difference is in pronunciation, not meaning or usage. The British pronunciation includes the 'f' sound /f/ in 'lieutenant'.
Connotations
Both carry the same connotations of high authority and command within a military hierarchy.
Frequency
The term is equally frequent in both varieties within military and relevant historical/political contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “lieutenant general” in a Sentence
Lieutenant General [Name] commanded the forces.He was promoted to lieutenant general.The lieutenant general issued new orders.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lieutenant general” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To be lieutenant-generalled (extremely rare)
American English
- To lieutenant-general a command (extremely rare)
adjective
British English
- The lieutenant-general rank is prestigious.
- He held a lieutenant-general position.
American English
- The lieutenant general position was open.
- A lieutenant general officer attended.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially used metaphorically for a deputy CEO with vast operational control.
Academic
Used in history, political science, and military studies texts.
Everyday
Very rare outside discussions of military affairs or news.
Technical
Standard term in military doctrine, hierarchy, and communications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lieutenant general”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lieutenant general”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lieutenant general”
- Misspelling as 'leutenant general' or 'lieutanant general'.
- Using it as a countable noun without a name (e.g., 'a lieutenant general' is correct; 'he is lieutenant general' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Lieutenant General (three-star) is superior to Major General (two-star).
The origin is uncertain but may stem from Old French 'lieu' (place) and 'tenant' (holding) merging, with the 'f' sound possibly influenced by Medieval Latin spellings or a historical misreading of 'u' as 'v'.
Yes, e.g., 'Lieutenant General Smith addressed the troops.' The title is often abbreviated as 'Lt. Gen.'.
No, it is an army and air force rank. The equivalent naval rank is typically 'vice admiral'.
A senior military rank, typically above a major general and below a general.
Lieutenant general is usually formal, official, technical (military) in register.
Lieutenant general: in British English it is pronounced /lɛfˈtɛnənt ˈdʒɛnrəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /luːˈtɛnənt ˈdʒɛnrəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Rise through the ranks to lieutenant general”
- “Lieutenant general's stripes”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A LIEUtenant acts 'in lieu of' (in place of) a general in some duties, hence a high deputy.
Conceptual Metaphor
A HIERARCHY IS A LADDER (climbing to lieutenant general).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'lieutenant' pronounced with an /f/ sound?