General vs. Specific: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
General pertains to broad or widespread concepts, while specific refers to detailed, clearly defined particulars.
Key Differences
General refers to a broad overview or a concept applicable to many cases, like general advice, whereas specific points to precise, detailed information tailored to a particular case, like specific instructions.
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Nov 19, 2023
General encompasses a wide range, often lacking in detail, suitable for various situations, such as general knowledge. In contrast, specific denotes exact, clearly defined aspects, useful for particular situations, like specific facts.
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Nov 19, 2023
General serves as an umbrella term, covering a broad spectrum without focusing on details, like general categories. Specific, however, zooms in on a singular aspect, offering in-depth insight, like specific criteria.
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Nov 19, 2023
General principles or rules apply broadly and are not tailored to individual circumstances, while specific guidelines are designed for distinct scenarios, addressing particular needs or requirements.
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Nov 19, 2023
In summary, general concepts provide a wide, overarching view, useful for a variety of contexts, whereas specific information offers targeted, detailed insight, applicable to a specific context.
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Nov 19, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Examples
General guidelines, general knowledge
Specific instructions, specific information
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General and Specific Definitions
General
Relating to overall characteristics, not specific details.
In general, eating healthy can improve wellbeing.
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Specific
Clearly defined or identified.
The doctor gave specific instructions for the medication.
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General
Widespread, not restricted to one thing.
There was a general agreement on the importance of education.
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General
Applying to all or most cases.
The general public often influences market trends.
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Specific
Clear or detailed in communicating
Be specific when telling us what you need.
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Oct 19, 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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Specific
Limited, distinctive, or unique
Problems specific to small colleges.
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General
Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent
General discontent.
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Specific
Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing
A specific remedy for warts.
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Specific
Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination
"age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).
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General
Being usually the case; true or applicable in most instances but not all
The general correctness of her decisions.
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Specific
Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species
A specific name.
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Specific
Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.
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General
Not limited to or dealing with one class of things; diversified
General studies.
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General
Involving only the main features rather than precise details
A general grasp of the subject.
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Specific
(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
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Specific
Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.
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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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Specific
Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.
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General
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
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General
A statement, principle, or fact that embraces or is applicable to the whole.
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Pertaining to a species, as a taxon or taxa at the rank of species.
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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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General
Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
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General
Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category.
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Specific
Serving to identify a particular thing (often a disease or condition), with little risk of mistaking something else for it.
A highly specific test, specific and nonspecific symptoms
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General
Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
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Specific
Being a remedy for a particular disease on a deeper level, rather than just masking the symptoms
Quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
Any improvement in secondary sciatica is probably due to the analgesic action of the sodium salicylate, but in primary sciatica, in all likelihood “rheumatic,” the effect of the sodium salicylate appears to be specific rather than symptomatic.
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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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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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Specific
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
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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
Specific
(physics) similarly referring to a value divided by any measure which acts to standardize it (e.g. thrust specific fuel consumption, referring to fuel consumption divided by thrust)
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General
A great strategist or tactician.
Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
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Specific
(physics) a measure compared with a standard reference value by division, to produce a ratio without unit or dimension (e.g. specific refractive index is a pure number, and is relative to that of air)
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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
Specific
Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice.
Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.
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General
(xiangqi) A xiangqi piece, that is moved one point orthogonally and confined within the palace.
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Specific
Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaptation, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied.
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General
(obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.
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Specific
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
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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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Specific
A medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
Quinine is a specific for malaria
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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
Specific
(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique;
Rules with specific application
Demands specific to the job
A specific and detailed account of the accident
Nonspecific enteritis
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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
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
Specific
Relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
Specific characters
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General
Having a relation to all; common to the whole; as, Adam, our general sire.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Being or affecting a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition; used also of stains or dyes used in making microscope slides;
Quinine is highly specific for malaria
A specific remedy
A specific stain is one having a specific affinity for particular structural elements
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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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Specific
Limited to one thing.
The specific topic of the lecture was ancient Rome.
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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
Specific
Unique or particular to something.
This problem requires a specific solution.
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Nov 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
Specific
Stated clearly and in detail.
He asked for specific examples of the theory in practice.
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General
The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general.
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General
The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.
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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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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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General
Not specialized or limited to one class of things;
General studies
General knowledge
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General
Prevailing among and common to the general public;
The general discontent
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General
Somewhat indefinite;
Bearing a general resemblance to the original
A general description of the merchandise
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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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General
Common to many or most.
It's a general rule to be respectful to others.
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Nov 19, 2023
General
Not specialized or limited.
Her interests were general, covering many topics.
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Nov 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can general knowledge be helpful?
Yes, general knowledge provides a broad understanding useful in various contexts.
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Nov 19, 2023
What does general mean?
General refers to something broad, applicable to many situations, without detailed information.
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Nov 19, 2023
What does specific mean?
Specific refers to something clearly defined, detailed, and particular to a situation.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is general information always vague?
Not necessarily vague, but it lacks the detail found in specific information.
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Nov 19, 2023
How is general advice different from specific advice?
General advice is broad and not tailored to individual cases, unlike specific advice.
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Nov 19, 2023
Do specific details enhance understanding?
Yes, they provide depth and clarity to a subject.
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How does general public opinion differ from specific feedback?
General public opinion is broad, while specific feedback is detailed and focused.
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Do general rules apply to everyone?
Generally, yes, they are intended to be applicable in most situations.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is specific information always narrow in scope?
Yes, it focuses on particular aspects and is detailed.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can specific instructions be general?
No, specific instructions are detailed and tailored to a particular scenario.
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Nov 19, 2023
How important is specificity in communication?
Specificity can be crucial for clarity and understanding in communication.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can a topic be both general and specific?
A topic can start generally and become specific with more detailed information.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is a general overview sufficient for expert knowledge?
No, expert knowledge usually requires specific, detailed understanding.
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Nov 19, 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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