generally

The word “generally” means usually or in most cases; as a rule. In plain terms, mostly, or true in most cases — not every single time.

“Generally” is pronounced JEHN-ruh-lee (/ˈd͡ʒɛn.ɚ.li/ in IPA).

Here is “generally” used in a sentence: “Traffic is generally lighter on weekends.”

Words with a similar meaning to “generally” include basically, by and large, commonly, ordinarily, mostly and regularly.

The opposite of “generally” — its antonyms — is specifically.

“Generally” is an adverb.

“Generally” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Generally” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: usually or in most cases; as a rule.

'Generally' means in most cases, leaving room for exceptions, while 'always' means every single time, without exception. Saying a shop is 'generally open on Sundays' allows for the odd closure; saying it is 'always open on Sundays' promises no exceptions at all. 'Generally' is the safer, more flexible word.

The two are very close and often interchangeable, both meaning 'in most cases'. 'Usually' leans slightly more toward habit or frequency over time, while 'generally' can also mean 'broadly' or 'on the whole'. In everyday use, either word works to signal that something is typical but not guaranteed.

You might say, 'Prices are generally higher in city centres,' meaning this is true in most cases but not every one. It can also mean 'broadly', as in 'The plan was generally well received' — that is, welcomed on the whole, even if a few people disagreed.