Generally

Pronunciation

• IPA: /dÍ¡Ê’É›nɹəliː/

Origin

general + -ly

Full definition of generally

Adverb

1. Popularly or widely.
   It is generally known that the Earth is round.
2. As a rule; usually.
   I generally have a walk in the afternoon.
• 1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. HammondDuring the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant...
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 1, He used to drop into my chambers once in a while to smoke, and was first-rate company. When I gave a dinner there was generally a cover laid for him. I liked the man for his own sake, and even had he promised to turn out a celebrity it would have had no weight with me.
• 1922, Michael Arlen, “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days Chapter 3/19/2, Ivor had acquired more than a mile of fishing rights with the house ; he was not at all a good fisherman, but one must do something ; one generally, however, banged a ball with a squash-racket against a wall.
3. Without reference to specific details.
   Generally speaking …
4. (obsolete) Collectively; as a whole; without omissions.
• The Holy Bible, 2 Samuel xviiI counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee.