generalized

adjective

gen·​er·​al·​ized ˈje-nə-rə-ˌlīzd 

ˈjen-rə-

: made general

especially : not highly differentiated biologically nor strictly adapted to a particular environment

Examples of generalized in a Sentence

The patient has been experiencing generalized pain.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to a generalized geologic map of Tennessee from the Department of Environment and Conservation, limestone exists almost entirely throughout Davidson County and Middle Tennessee. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 31 July 2025

Earlier research has shown that AI models trained on generalized datasets often perform unpredictably when deployed in more specialized environments — a phenomenon known as domain shift. —Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025

In these cases, overly critical, generalized thoughts often pop up. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 July 2025

This isn't about complexity for its own sake, or about turning Bitcoin into a generalized platform. —Carylyne Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing generalized

• generalized anxiety disorder

Rhymes for generalized

• americanized
• anathematized
• collateralized
• contextualized
• conventionalized
• demilitarized
• demineralized
• departmentalized
• industrialised
• industrialized
• materialised
• materialized

Medical Definition

generalized

adjective

gen·​er·​al·​ized

variants or British generalised

1

a

: spread or extended throughout the body : affecting many parts of the body

generalized paralysis

generalized aches and pains

b

: affecting or involving all of a single part or region of the body

generalized back pain

generalized mouth soreness

2

: not highly differentiated biologically nor strictly adapted to a particular environment

a primitive generalized mammal