generalist

noun

gen·​er·​al·​ist ˈjen-rə-list How to pronounce generalist (audio)
ˈje-nə-
: one whose skills, interests, or habits are varied or unspecialized

Examples of generalist in a Sentence

The staff includes both generalists and specialists.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The beat has passed through many hands, and most who tackled it were not sartorial obsessives but, rather, gregarious generalists. Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 4 May 2025 By the end-Cretaceous mass extinction event, most of the survivors were the semiaquatic generalists and one group of aquatic carnivores. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2025 How to leverage time-for-money into long-term wealth Pick one niche and become irreplaceable Specialists earn more than generalists. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 Early-stage finance or functional teams are generalists, handling multiple functions. Andy Watts, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for generalist

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of generalist was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Generalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generalist. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

generalist

noun
gen·​er·​al·​ist ˈjen-(ə-)rə-ləst How to pronounce generalist (audio)
: a person whose skills or interests extend to several different fields

Medical Definition

generalist

noun
gen·​er·​al·​ist ˈjen-(ə-)rə-ləst How to pronounce generalist (audio)
: an individual whose skills or interests extend to several different medical fields
especially : general practitioner

More from Merriam-Webster on generalist

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