generalize

[ jen-er-uh-lahyz ]
See synonyms for: generalizegeneralizedgeneralizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing.
  1. to infer (a general principle, trend, etc.) from particular facts, statistics, or the like.

  2. to infer or form (a general principle, opinion, conclusion, etc.) from only a few facts, examples, or the like.

  1. to give a general rather than a specific or special character or form to.

  2. to make general; bring into general use or knowledge.

verb (used without object),gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing.
  1. to form general principles, opinions, etc.

  2. to deal, think, or speak in generalities.

  1. to make general inferences.

Origin of generalize

1
First recorded in 1745–55; general + -ize
  • 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 Wells
  • People who have to do with hundreds of young men at a time are unavoidably compelled to generalise.

    Oxford | Andrew Lang
  • But I promised you not to generalise, and perhaps there will be more expression when we arrive.

    Lady Barbarina | Henry James
  • It ought never to be forgotten that the observer can generalise his own observations incomparably better than any one else.

  • Now I would say it is your duty to generalise as far as you safely can from your as yet completed work.

British Dictionary definitions for generalize

generalize

generalise

/ (ˈdʒɛnrəˌlaɪz) /


verb
  1. to form (general principles or conclusions) from (detailed facts, experience, etc); infer

  2. (intr) to think or speak in generalities, esp in a prejudiced way

  1. (tr; usually passive) to cause to become widely used or known

  2. (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