generalist

noun

gen·​er·​al·​ist ˈjen-rə-list How to pronounce generalist (audio)
ˈje-nə-
Synonyms of generalistnext
: one whose skills, interests, or habits are varied or unspecialized

Examples of generalist in a Sentence

The staff includes both generalists and specialists.
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.
Then find a coach who specializes in that specific thing, not a generalist with a warm manner and a nice website. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Musk’s company laid off a number of AI tutors in the fall, many of whom were generalists, some of the people said. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 Sportswriters are both generalists and specialized journalists. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Apr. 2026 According to The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, this year’s festival was stuffed like a generalist’s backpack. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for generalist

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of generalist was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

general issue
generalist
generality
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Generalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generalist. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

generalist

noun
gen·​er·​al·​ist ˈjen-(ə-)rə-ləst How to pronounce generalist (audio)
: a person whose skills or interests extend to several different fields

Medical Definition

generalist

noun
gen·​er·​al·​ist ˈjen-(ə-)rə-ləst How to pronounce generalist (audio)
: an individual whose skills or interests extend to several different medical fields
especially : general practitioner

More from Merriam-Webster on generalist

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for generalist

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