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

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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.
Asians generally have longer life expectancies than those outside the region—but longer lives aren’t the same as healthier ones. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 The alcohol that generally makes a person feel drunk is ethanol, but adult beverages often contain small quantities of methanol, which build up while the ethanol is being processed by the body. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 There will generally not be guests on the show, with the heat coming from Griffin’s own commentary. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 Gasoline prices generally rise and fall with the price of crude oil, the principal cost for gasoline. — George Petras, USA Today, 26 Aug. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Generally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generally. Accessed 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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