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 of generally

• usually
• normally
• typically

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

With treatment, complete recovery depends on several factors and generally can take six to 12 months or longer. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Beginning with the 2027-28 school year, Illinois public and charter schools must generally prohibit students from using personal wireless devices from their arrival through dismissal. — Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

The early-twenties moves are dominated by recent Premier League transfers, but the fees generally start to decline after age 25, perhaps an indicator of the importance placed on physicality and athleticism in the modern game. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Business expenses are generally deductible; businesses with revenue of AED 3 million or less may qualify for Small Business Relief, a temporary corporate tax relief available until December 31, 2029. — Alia Noor, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

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