Generality — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌje-nə-ˈra-lə-tē/ gen·er·al·i·ty

Meaning & Definition of Generality

Generality (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being general
  2. generalization
  3. a vague or inadequate statement

Generality (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation

    "the idea that all boys are naturally messy is a gross generality"

    similar: concept, conception, generalization, notion, stereotype
    related: bromide, cliché, commonplace, platitude, truism, adage, proverb, saw, saying, hypothesis, proposition, theory, oversimplification, simplification, simplism

  2. the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts

    "an important but little-known Scottish inventor whose work was never appreciated by the generality of the public"

    similar: body, brunt, bulk, chief, core, heft (archaic), main, mass, staple, weight
    related: majority, aggregate, amount, entirety, quantum, sum, sum total, total, totality, whole, bottom, essence, essentiality, marrow, meat, nature, pith, quintessence, root, soul, stuff, substance, center, heart, hub, kernel, middle, nucleus, nut, seat, affair, argument, burden, crux, focus, gist, nub, pitch, point, purport, matter, motif, subject, text, theme, topic
    near: accessory, adjunct, appendage, extension, offshoot, component, constituent, element, ingredient, division, part, piece, section, segment, angle, aspect, facet, feature, quality, side

  3. the largest part or quantity of something

    "the generality of that high school's students will go on to college"

    similar: bulk, lion's share, majority, mass, preponderance
    related: plurality, maximum, most, abundance, heap, loads, lot, much, oodles, plenty, profusion, reams, scads, wealth
    opposite: minority
    near: couple, few, handful, smattering, sprinkling, least, minimum

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Generality

The most common words with a similar meaning to Generality:

Archaic: heft
concept, conception, generalization, notion, stereotype, body, brunt, bulk, chief, core, main, mass, staple, weight, lion's share, majority, preponderance

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Generality

Words with the opposite meaning of Generality:

minority

Related Words for Generality

bromide, cliché, commonplace, platitude, truism, adage, proverb, saw, saying, hypothesis, proposition, theory, oversimplification, simplification, simplism, aggregate, amount, entirety, quantum, sum, sum total, total, totality, whole, bottom, essence, essentiality, marrow, meat, nature

Near Antonyms of Generality

accessory, adjunct, appendage, extension, offshoot, component, constituent, element, ingredient, division, part, piece, section, segment, angle, aspect, facet, feature, quality, side, couple, few, handful, smattering, sprinkling, least, minimum

Word Forms of Generality

Inflections: generalities

Origin & Etymology of Generality

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Generality

What does "Generality" mean?

"Generality" means the quality or state of being general. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being general. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Generality"?

Other words for "Generality" include concept, conception, generalization, notion, stereotype, body, brunt and bulk. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Generality" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Generality"?

There are 92 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Generality". Common alternatives include concept, conception, generalization, notion, stereotype, body, brunt, bulk, chief and core.

What is the opposite of "Generality"?

Antonyms of "Generality" include minority. Near antonyms include accessory, adjunct, appendage and extension.

How do you use "Generality" in a sentence?

Examples of "Generality" in a sentence: "the idea that all boys are naturally messy is a gross generality"; "an important but little-known Scottish inventor whose work was never appreciated by the generality of the public"; "the generality of that high school's students will go on to college".

Is "Generality" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Generality" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Generality"?

"Generality" is pronounced /ˌje-nə-ˈra-lə-tē/ and divided into syllables as gen·er·al·i·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Generality"?

First known use: 15th century.