generalize

generalize — verb

1. to form a broad statement or opinion that applies to many people, things, or sit

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to form a broad statement or opinion that applies to many people, things, or situations, based on only a small number of examples or on limited information

Example

It is not fair to generalize about an entire country based on one short visit.

generalize + about + group noun

Scientists warn that we cannot generalize from a single lab experiment.

generalize + from + specific source

Common collocations
  • generalize about a group/country/culture
  • generalize from a sample/example/study
Synonyms
  • overgeneralize

    stronger, negative connotation — implies the conclusion is definitely too broad

  • stereotype

    limited to groups of people; negative connotation of unfair oversimplification

  • broad-brush

    adjective; describes statements that treat complex matters too simply

Antonyms
  • specify

    to state something in exact detail rather than making a broad claim

  • particularize

    formal; to list or describe individual cases separately

Grammar Patterns

generalize + about + noun (topic/group)

generalize + from + noun (specific case/evidence)

Usage Note

Often used in negative or cautionary contexts to warn against reaching conclusions too quickly. Subject is typically a person or group making a claim.

Common Mistakes

I generalized that all birds can fly after seeing one pigeon.
I wrongly assumed that all birds can fly after seeing one pigeon.
'generalize' describes the cognitive act of forming a broad rule; to make the sentence sound natural, add 'wrongly' or 'hastily' to show the conclusion is based on too little evidence.

2. to make a method, finding, idea, or product suitable for or useful in a wider ra

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to make a method, finding, idea, or product suitable for or useful in a wider range of situations than the one it was originally designed or tested for

Example

The researchers hope to generalize their findings to patients of all ages.

generalize findings + to + wider group

Darius tried to generalize his programming method so it could work on any operating system.

Common collocations
  • generalize results/findings to
  • generalize a method/approach/model
  • generalize a product/system for
Synonyms
  • extrapolate

    slightly more precise; implies extending from known data to unknown situations, often mathematically

  • broaden

    simpler word; to make something apply to more cases without the academic nuance

  • universalize

    more formal; means making something apply everywhere without exception

Antonyms
  • narrow

    to limit the scope or application of something

  • restrict

    to keep something within a specific set of conditions

Grammar Patterns

generalize + noun + to + noun (wider domain)

be generalized to + noun

Usage Note

Common in research papers and business contexts. The object is typically an abstract noun (finding, method, theory, result). Frequently occurs in passive constructions: 'can be generalized to…'

Common Mistakes

The doctor generalized the medicine for all patients.
The doctor found that the treatment could be generalized to all patients.
'generalize' in this sense takes an abstract concept (result, method), not a concrete object like medicine.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe reaching a conclusion, but they differ in scope and connotation. 'Generalize' (sense 1) is the neutral starting point — forming a broad statement from limited cases. 'Overgeneralize' adds a negative judgment: the conclusion is clearly too broad to be reliable. 'Stereotype' is narrower, referring specifically to fixed, oversimplified ideas about groups of people, and carries strong social criticism. 'Presume' means to assume something is true without proof, which is broader in scope and not limited to the logical pattern of 'from cases to rule.' 'Extrapolate' is more precise and often positive in research contexts — it means extending known data into unknown areas using reasoning. For example: 'She generalized that all swans are white after seeing three.' → 'He overgeneralized about an entire profession based on one rude employee.' → 'The ad relies on a stereotype about working mothers.' → 'We can extrapolate future sales from last quarter's data.'

overgeneralizestereotype ↗presume ↗extrapolate

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in general terms
  • as a general rule

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

The word 'generalize' comes from the Latin word 'generalis' (meaning 'belonging to a class or kind'), which is based on 'genus' (meaning 'kind, class, race'). It entered English in the mid-1600s as a verb meaning 'to make general or bring under a general heading.' The '-ize' suffix turns the adjective 'general' into an action, so 'generalize' literally means 'to make general.'