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

When one rises, the other one generally does, too — and the same goes when yields fall. —Aly J Yale, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026

Namely, a mix of the aforementioned youngsters from all parts of the world, combined with group of experienced campaigners to guide them, because players proven at the top level in their mid to late twenties are not generally within Brighton’s spending capacity. —Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Anti-SLAPP laws are generally used to prevent people from using expensive defamation suits to target or punish others for their speech. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026

The measure joins two other bills floated in July — one in each the House and Senate — that generally would reinstate a click-to-cancel rule from the Federal Trade Commission that didn’t take effect last year as scheduled due to a federal appeals court striking it down. —Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 27 Jan. 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