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

According to researchers Global Witness, Colombia is the most dangerous nation in the world for environmental defenders generally, with 79 murders in 2023, just under half the global total. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 27 May 2026

And while basic single-stage systems are generally cheaper, many homeowners are opting for quieter and more energy-efficient multi-stage or variable-speed systems, which come at a premium. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 May 2026

The job seekers who came to the One Stop Centers were generally directed to a row of computers and given limited instruction. —Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Dillon generally attends events either with his young family or his teammates. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 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