generalize

1 of 2

verb

gen·​er·​al·​ize ˈjen-rə-ˌlīz  ˈje-nə- 

generalized; generalizing

transitive verb

1

: to give a general form to

2

a

: to derive or induce (a general conception or principle) from particulars

b

: to draw a general conclusion from

3

: to give general applicability to

generalize a law

also : to make indefinite

intransitive verb

1

: to form generalizations

also : to make vague or indefinite statements

She's always generalizing about men.

2

: to spread or extend throughout the body

generalizability

ˌjen-rə-ˌlī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌje-nə-

noun

generalizable

ˌjen-rə-ˈlī-zə-bəl 

ˌje-nə-

adjective

generalizer noun

generalizability

2 of 2

noun

gen·​er·​al·​iz·​abil·​i·​ty

variants also British generalisability

ˌ⸗(⸗)⸗ˌ⸗⸗ˈbilətē, 

-ətē

: the quality of being generalizable

doubts about the generalizability of the test score results

Examples of generalize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Because the participants were almost all older Japanese adults, the findings may not be generalized to other populations. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026

Of course, if the AI does generalize, the difficulty is that the AI generalizations about mental health might be off base. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Simulations are not opinions Pollsters have long used statistical models to generalize results from a finite number of replies. — Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 27 May 2026

This has allowed mathematicians to generalize those ideas to a much broader range of settings — and to prove important statements in a wide variety of fields. — Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 20 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

general entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

Verb

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for generalize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

generalize

verb

gen·​er·​al·​ize ˈjen-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

generalized; generalizing

: to put in the form of a general rule : draw or state a general conclusion from a number of items or instances

Medical Definition

generalize

intransitive verb

gen·​er·​al·​ize

variants or British generalise

ˈjen-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

generalized or British generalised; generalizing or British generalising

: to spread or extend through all of a body part or region or through most of the entire body