generalize
to infer (a general principle, trend, etc.) from particular facts, statistics, or the like.
to infer or form (a general principle, opinion, conclusion, etc.) from only a few facts, examples, or the like.
to give a general rather than a specific or special character or form to.
to make general; bring into general use or knowledge.
to form general principles, opinions, etc.
to deal, think, or speak in generalities.
to make general inferences.
Origin of generalize
1- Also especially British, gen·er·al·ise .
Other words from generalize
- gen·er·al·iz·a·ble, adjective
- gen·er·al·iz·er, noun
- non·gen·er·al·ized, adjective
- un·gen·er·al·ized, adjective
- un·gen·er·al·iz·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use generalize in a sentence
It is very easy indeed to generalise about a class or human beings, but much harder to produce a sample.
The New Machiavelli | Herbert George WellsPeople who have to do with hundreds of young men at a time are unavoidably compelled to generalise.
Oxford | Andrew LangBut I promised you not to generalise, and perhaps there will be more expression when we arrive.
Lady Barbarina | Henry JamesIt ought never to be forgotten that the observer can generalise his own observations incomparably better than any one else.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II | Charles DarwinNow I would say it is your duty to generalise as far as you safely can from your as yet completed work.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II | Charles Darwin
British Dictionary definitions for generalize
generalise
/ (ˈdʒɛnrəˌlaɪz) /
to form (general principles or conclusions) from (detailed facts, experience, etc); infer
(intr) to think or speak in generalities, esp in a prejudiced way
(tr; usually passive) to cause to become widely used or known
(intr) (of a disease)
to spread throughout the body
to change from a localized infection or condition to a systemic one: generalized infection
Derived forms of generalize
- generalizer or generaliser, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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