generally

adverb

gen·​er·​al·​ly ˈjen-rə-lē How to pronounce generally (audio)
ˈje-nə-, 
ˈje-nər-lē
Synonyms of generallynext
: in a general manner: such as
a
: in disregard of specific instances and with regard to an overall picture
generally speaking
b
: as a rule : usually

Synonyms of generally

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of generally in a Sentence

He talked generally about his plans. I had a generally good day. It generally takes about a month for the shipment to arrive. When stocks are up, bonds are generally down. This town is generally regarded as a good place to raise kids.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What’s happened conforms to a classic pattern of far-left and far-right politics in France, and in Europe generally. — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026 Even if your skin generally tolerates exfoliation well, dermatologists warn that AHAs can increase sun sensitivity, making your skin more vulnerable to UV damage. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026 In college sports, eligibility rules reinforce the idea that athletes are full-time, degree-seeking students who, like their classmates, are generally expected to finish college after four or five years. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Real estate, pensions, and most retirement accounts would generally be excluded. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for generally

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of generally was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing generally

Browse Nearby Words

general listing
generally
generally speaking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Generally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generally. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

generally

adverb
gen·​er·​al·​ly ˈjen-(ə-)rə-lē How to pronounce generally (audio)
ˈjen-ər-lē
1
: for the most part
generally speaking
2
: as a rule : usually
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