# general

/ˈdʒɛnɝəɫ/ (US) · /dʒˈɛnəɹəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/general
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. affecting everyone

adjective · CEFR A2

affecting or including most people, places, or things.

For teachers: relating to or involving all or most people, things, or categories; universal within a given context.

- There is a general feeling that the economy is starting to improve.
- The general consensus among the board members was that the company needed to pivot toward sustainable energy solutions immediately.

### 2. not detailed

adjective · CEFR B1

giving only the main points or ideas without looking at small details.

For teachers: concerned with main symbols or features rather than precise details; lacking in specificity.

- The teacher gave us a general idea of what would be on the test.
- The architect provided a general outline of the project, leaving the specific material choices for a later stage of development.

### 3. military rank

noun · CEFR A2

a very high-ranking officer in the army or air force.

For teachers: a high-ranking commissioned officer in the armed forces, typically commanding a large body of troops.

- The general ordered the soldiers to move to the border.
- After decades of service, the general was tasked with overseeing the entire regional peacekeeping operation.

### 4. medical anesthesia

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

a type of medicine that makes you sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery.

For teachers: a state of total unconsciousness produced by anesthetic agents, or the agents themselves.

- The doctor said I would need a general for the operation on my shoulder.
- The patient was put under a general to ensure they remained completely immobile and pain-free throughout the complex procedure.

### 5. highest rank

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

used in titles to show that someone is the highest leader of an organization.

For teachers: postpositive or attributive modifier indicating supreme rank within a civil or professional hierarchy.

- The Director General of the health organization spoke to the press.
- The Secretary General issued a formal statement regarding the international treaty violations observed by the monitors.

Usage: Often follows the noun it modifies, as in 'Secretary General' or 'Attorney General'.

## Examples

- The general ordered the troops to move forward.
- After thirty years of service, she was promoted to general and took command of the entire base.
- Historians often debate whether the general's tactical brilliance on the battlefield was overshadowed by his inability to navigate the complex political landscape of the capital.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.