What is the difference between general and special? (2025)

Table of Contents
As adjectives the difference between general and special As nouns the difference between general and special English Alternative forms Adjective Noun Verb Statistics Anagrams English Adjective Noun Statistics Anagrams

As adjectives the difference between general and special

is that general is including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc; as opposed to (specific) or (particular) while special is distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.

As nouns the difference between general and special

is that general is commander of an army while special is a reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.

English

Alternative forms

* generall (chiefly archaic)

Adjective

(en adjective)

  • Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to (specific) or (particular).
  • * c. 1495 , (John Skelton), "Vppon a deedman's hed":
    It is generall / To be mortall: / I haue well espyde / No man may hym hyde / From Deth holow eyed [...].
  • * 1842 , Douglas Jerrold, "Mr Peppersorn ‘At Home’", Cakes and Ale :
    "Among us!" was the general shout, and Peppersorn sat frozen to his chair.
  • * 1946 , (Bertrand Russell), History of Western Philosophy , I.27:
    Undoubtedly the age of the Antonines was much better than any later age until the Renaissance, from the point of view of the general happiness.
  • * 2006 , Ruth Sutherland, "Invite public to the private equity party", The Observer , 15 Oct 06:
    One advantage of having profitable companies in Britain is that they pay large sums in corporate tax into the Exchequer, which in theory at least is used for the general good.
  • Applied to a person (as a postmodifier or a normal preceding adjective) to indicate supreme rank, in civil or military titles, and later in other terms; pre-eminent.
  • * 1865 , Edward Cust, Lives of the Warriors of the Thirty Years War , p. 527:
    For these successes he obtained the rank of Field-Marshal General .
  • * 2002 , James Turner, Libertines and Radicals in Early Modern London , p. 122:
    He becomes the chief chartered libertine, the whoremaster-general flourishing his "standard" over a female army [...].
  • Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
  • * 1817 , (Walter Scott), Rob Roy , IX:
    ‘I can't quite afford you the sympathy you expect upon this score,’ I replied; ‘the misfortune is so general , that it belongs to one half of the species [...].’
  • * 2008 , John Patterson, "Home movies", The Guardian , 20 Dec 08:
    The general opinion on Baz Luhrmann's overstuffed epic Australia seems to be that it throws in everything but the kitchen sink, and then tosses that in too, just to be sure.
  • Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category.
  • * 1924 , Time , 17 Mar 1924:
    M. Venizelos went to Athens from Paris early last January in response to a general invitation from the Greek populace.
  • * 2009 , Douglas P Zipes, Saturday Evening Post , vol. 281:1, p. 20:
    Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a general term indicating a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) coming from the top chambers of the heart - in essence, above (supra) the lower chamber (ventricular).
  • Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
  • * 1817 , (Walter Scott), Rob Roy , X:
    As she thus spoke, the entrance of the servants with dinner cut off all conversation but that of a general nature.
  • * 2006 , Kevin Nance, "Ghosts of the White City", Chicago Sun-Times , 16 Jul 06:
    The quick answer is that the 1893 Exposition was simply so important -- "the greatest event in the history of the country since the Civil War," as Harper's put it that October -- but that feels too general .
  • * 2008 , Robert P Maloney, "The Quiet Carpenter", America , vol. 199:19, p. 18:
    Given the scarcity of relevant historical detail in the New Testament, we are left with only a general outline about Joseph.
  • Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area.
  • * 1941 , (W Somerset Maugham), Up at the Villa , Vintage 2004, p. 24:
    There was a moment's pause. The Princess broke in with some casual remark and once more the conversation became general .
  • * 1947 , "Russian Catechism", Time , 20 Oct 1947:
    Already in the primary school work is conducted for the purpose of equipping the pupils with those elements of general knowledge which are closely related to the military preparation of future warriors.
  • * 2007 , Alan Cheuse, "A Little Death", Southern Review , vol. 43:3, p. 692:
    His measured, springless walk was the walk of the skilled countryman as distinct from the desultory shamble of the general labourer [...].

    • Antonyms

    * particular* specific

    Derived terms

    * agent general* brigadier general* colonel general* generality* generally* generalisation, generalization* generalise, generalize* general anaesthetic* general knowledge* in general* lieutenant general* major general

    Related terms

    * universal

    Noun

    (en noun)

  • :We have dealt with the generals ; now let us turn to the particulars.
  • (military ranks) A senior military title, originally designating the commander of an army and now a specific rank falling under field marshal (in the British army) and below general of the army or general of the air force in the US army and air forces.
  • A great strategist or tactician.
    Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
  • *1918 , (Rebecca West), The Return of the Soldier , Virago 2014, p. 16:
  • *:She flung at us as we sat down, ‘My general is sister to your second housemaid.’
  • A general anaesthetic; general anaesthesia.
    • Usage notes

    When used as a title, it is always capitalized.: Example: General John Doe.The rank corresponds to pay grade O-10. Abbreviations: GEN.

    See also

    * hetman

    Verb

  • To lead (soldiers) as a general

    • Statistics

    *

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)

  • Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.
    a special episode of a television series
  • Of particular interest or value; certain; dear; beloved; favored.
    Everyone is special to someone.
  • (euphemistic, derogatory) Retarded; mentally handicapped
    He goes to a special school.
  • Constituting or relating to a species.
    The seven dark spots is a special property unique to ''Coccinella septempunctata''.
  • Chief in excellence.
  • * Shakespeare
    The king hath drawn / The special head of all the land together.

    • Derived terms

    * special attack* special constable* special defense* special delivery* special education / special ed* special forces* specialisation / specialization* specialise / specialize* specialist* speciality, specialty* specially* specialness* Special Olympics* special ops

    Related terms

    * especial* especially

    Noun

    (en noun)

  • A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.
    We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
  • (broadcasting) Unusual or exceptional episode of a series
  • (British, colloquial) A special constable.
  • Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled.
    Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
  • (video games) special move
  • * 1995 , "Tony Pordon", Tekken Review [PSX]'' (on newsgroup ''rec.games.video.misc )
    Using the right moves, you can sometimes chain 2 specials in a row to form multiple hit combos.

    • Statistics

    *

    What is the difference between general and special? (2025)
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