Broad vs. General: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Broad refers to a wide scope or extensive range, while general means common to most or not specific.
Key Differences
Broad encompasses a wide range of elements, often implying extensive coverage or inclusivity, whereas general refers to concepts or ideas that are common and not detailed or specific.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 06, 2023
The term broad is used to describe something that covers a large number of subjects or areas, while general is used to indicate a summary or overview without focusing on specifics.
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Dec 06, 2023
Broad often implies a comprehensive approach that includes diverse elements, while general suggests a more high-level, less detailed view.
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Dec 06, 2023
In the context of discussions or descriptions, broad can mean encompassing multiple perspectives or aspects, while general tends to refer to shared, common characteristics or ideas.
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Dec 06, 2023
Broad can also imply inclusiveness or a wide range, while general is often associated with a basic or common understanding, applicable to most situations but not all-encompassing.
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Dec 06, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Detail
Can include a variety of details.
Lacks specific details, more overview.
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Dec 06, 2023
Application
Used for wide coverage in topics.
Used for common, usual cases or ideas.
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Dec 06, 2023
Connotation
Implies inclusivity and diversity.
Suggests basic or shared understanding.
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Dec 06, 2023
Usage in Language
Describes the extent or range.
Describes the commonality or usualness.
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Dec 06, 2023
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Broad and General Definitions
Broad
Broad means covering a large number and wide scope of subjects.
She has a broad range of interests, from music to science.
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Dec 06, 2023
General
General means common to all or most in a group or category.
It is a general truth that honesty is important.
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Dec 06, 2023
Broad
Broad is used to describe extensive or comprehensive coverage.
The survey provides a broad overview of consumer opinions.
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Dec 06, 2023
General
General can refer to a widespread, nonspecific condition.
There is a general feeling of optimism in the team.
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Dec 06, 2023
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General
General also indicates a basic level of understanding.
He has a general knowledge of world history.
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Dec 06, 2023
General
Concerned with, applicable to, or affecting the whole or every member of a class or category
"subduing all her impressions as a woman, to something more general" (Virginia Woolf).
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent
General discontent.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Being usually the case; true or applicable in most instances but not all
The general correctness of her decisions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Relating to or covering the main facts or the essential points
A plan presented in broad outline.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Not limited to or dealing with one class of things; diversified
General studies.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Involving only the main features rather than precise details
A general grasp of the subject.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above lieutenant general.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
(Linguistics) Pronounced with the tongue placed low and flat and with the oral cavity wide open, like the a in father.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
A statement, principle, or fact that embraces or is applicable to the whole.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
General
Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to specific or particular.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Having a large measure of any thing or quality; unlimited; unrestrained.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
General
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
A general fact or proposition; a generality.
We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
(dated) Gross; coarse; indelicate.
A broad compliment; a broad joke; broad humour
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Oct 19, 2023
General
(military ranks) The holder of 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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
(of an accent) Strongly regional.
She still has a broad Scottish accent, despite moving to California 20 years ago.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
A great strategist or tactician.
Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
(Christianity) The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
(UK) A shallow lake, one of a number of bodies of water in eastern Norfolk and Suffolk.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
A British gold coin worth 20 shillings, issued by the Commonwealth of England in 1656.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
(xiangqi) A xiangqi piece, that is moved one point orthogonally and confined within the palace.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Wide; extend in breadth, or from side to side; - opposed to narrow; as, a broad street, a broad table; an inch broad.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
(obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Extending far and wide; extensive; vast; as, the broad expanse of ocean.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Relating to a genus or kind; pertaining to a whole class or order; as, a general law of animal or vegetable economy.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; including all particulars; as, a general inference or conclusion.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Fig.: Having a large measure of any thing or quality; not limited; not restrained; - applied to any subject, and retaining the literal idea more or less clearly, the precise meaning depending largely on the substantive.
A broad mixture of falsehood.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Comprehensive; liberal; enlarged.
The words in the Constitution are broad enough to include the case.
In a broad, statesmanlike, and masterly way.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Common to many, or the greatest number; widely spread; prevalent; extensive, though not universal; as, a general opinion; a general custom.
This general applause and cheerful shoutArgue your wisdom and your love to Richard.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Having a relation to all; common to the whole; as, Adam, our general sire.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Free; unrestrained; unconfined.
As broad and general as the casing air.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
As a whole; in gross; for the most part.
His general behavior vain, ridiculous.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Cross; coarse; indelicate; as, a broad compliment; a broad joke; broad humor.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
The whole; the total; that which comprehends or relates to all, or the chief part; - opposed to particular.
In particulars our knowledge begins, and so spreads itself by degrees to generals.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Strongly marked; as, a broad Scotch accent.
It is as broad as long, whether they rise to others, or bring others down to them.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
One of the chief military officers of a government or country; the commander of an army, of a body of men not less than a brigade. In European armies, the highest military rank next below field marshal.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general.
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Oct 19, 2023
General
The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
A woman, especially one who is sexually promiscuous; - usually considered offensive.
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other;
Wide roads
A wide necktie
Wide margins
Three feet wide
A river two miles broad
Broad shoulders
A broad river
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Oct 19, 2023
General
A fact about the whole (as opposed to particular);
He discussed the general but neglected the particular
He always reasons from the particular to the general
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Broad in scope or content;
Across-the-board pay increases
An all-embracing definition
Blanket sanctions against human-rights violators
An invention with broad applications
A panoptic study of Soviet nationality
Granted him wide powers
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Not detailed or specific;
A broad rule
The broad outlines of the plan
Felt an unspecific dread
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Applying to all or most members of a category or group;
The general public
General assistance
A general rule
In general terms
Comprehensible to the general reader
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Lacking subtlety; obvious;
Gave us a broad hint that it was time to leave
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Not specialized or limited to one class of things;
General studies
General knowledge
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Very large in expanse or scope;
A broad lawn
The wide plains
A spacious view
Spacious skies
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Prevailing among and common to the general public;
The general discontent
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Showing or characterized by broad-mindedness;
A broad political stance
Generous and broad sympathies
A liberal newspaper
Tolerant of his opponent's opinions
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Oct 19, 2023
General
Somewhat indefinite;
Bearing a general resemblance to the original
A general description of the merchandise
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Broad can refer to something wide in physical dimensions.
The river was too broad to swim across.
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Dec 06, 2023
General
Of worldwide scope or applicability;
An issue of cosmopolitan import
The shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time
Universal experience
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Oct 19, 2023
Broad
Broad also indicates a general or non-specific approach.
His remarks were broad, lacking specific details.
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Dec 06, 2023
General
General implies an overview or summary without details.
She gave a general summary of the project's goals.
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Dec 06, 2023
Broad
Broad can imply openness or inclusiveness in thinking.
He is known for his broad-minded views on social issues.
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Dec 06, 2023
General
General is used to describe a shared or collective view.
In general, people agree that education is vital.
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Dec 06, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a general concept?
A general concept is one that is common to most situations, without specific details.
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Dec 06, 2023
What does broad mean in terms of scope?
Broad means covering a wide range or variety of subjects.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is broad used to describe physical dimensions?
Yes, broad can describe something that is wide in physical size.
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Dec 06, 2023
How does broad apply to knowledge?
Broad knowledge means understanding a wide range of subjects.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can something be both broad and general?
Yes, a topic can be both broad in scope and general in detail.
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Dec 06, 2023
What does general mean in military terms?
In military terms, general refers to a high-ranking officer.
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Dec 06, 2023
What is a general opinion?
A general opinion is one that is widely held or not specific to one aspect.
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Dec 06, 2023
What does general imply in a statement?
General implies a statement is an overview or summary, lacking specifics.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can general be used in a statistical sense?
Yes, general can describe what is typical or common in a group.
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Dec 06, 2023
Does general knowledge imply expertise?
General knowledge implies a basic understanding, not necessarily expertise.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can broad be subjective?
Yes, what is considered broad can be subjective and vary by perspective.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can broad be used in a cultural context?
Yes, broad can refer to inclusiveness in cultural contexts.
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Dec 06, 2023
How does broad relate to tolerance?
Broad can relate to tolerance in terms of open-mindedness and inclusivity.
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Dec 06, 2023
Does broad mean the same as diverse?
Broad often implies diversity, but it specifically refers to wide-ranging coverage.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can general be used in legal terms?
Yes, in legal terms, general can refer to overall principles or common practices.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is a broad approach detailed?
A broad approach covers many areas but may not be detailed in each.
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Dec 06, 2023
How is broad used in discussions?
Broad in discussions implies covering a wide range of topics.
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Dec 06, 2023
What does generally accepted mean?
Generally accepted means widely acknowledged or agreed upon.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is broad applicable to artistic expressions?
Yes, broad can describe a wide range of styles or themes in art.
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Dec 06, 2023
Is general advice specific?
General advice is not specific; it applies to common situations.
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Dec 06, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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