generally

adverb

gen·​er·​al·​ly ˈjen-rə-lē 

ˈje-nə-,

ˈje-nər-lē

: 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

• commonly
• natch [slang]
• naturally
• normally
• ordinarily
• typically
• usually

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

Front-line and now finally chic-to-be-geek, developers are always in the spotlight (for good and bad reasons) and generally regarded to be the stars of the technology world in the neo-cloud era of AI where the promise of quantum hangs close to come. —Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Because counselors are generally licensed to practice by the state, clients are no longer limited to practitioners within commutable distance. —Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025

Guests who were displaced by fire, the clerk said, are generally paying 25% under usual rates, with resort fees and pet fees waived. —Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025

When a particular fact turns out to be sticky, persistence and attention, rather than any kind of special knowledge, are generally what’s needed. —Fergus McIntosh, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing generally

• generally speaking

Kids Definition

generally

adverb

gen·​er·​al·​ly ˈjen-(ə-)rə-lē 

ˈjen-ər-lē

1

: for the most part

generally speaking

2

: as a rule : usually