generalize

UK: /ˈdʒɛnrəlaɪz/ US: /ˈdʒɛnərəˌlaɪz/ ,( jen′ər ə līz′)

Inflections of 'generalize' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

generalizes

v 3rd person singular (US & UK)

generalizing

v pres p (US & UK)

generalized

v past (US & UK)

generalized

v past p (US & UK)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

gen•er•al•ize /ˈdʒɛnərəˌlaɪz/   v., -ized, -iz•ing. 

1. to figure out (a general principle) from particular facts or instances:
   [~ + object] to generalize a scientific theory from observations.
2. to form (a general opinion or conclusion) from only a few facts or cases:
   [no object] We can't generalize from so little evidence.
3. [~ + object] to bring into general use or knowledge.
4. [no object] to deal, think, or speak in generalities.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

gen•er•al•ize  ( jen′ər ə līz′), v., -ized, -iz•ing. 
v.t. 

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.
3. to give a general rather than a specific or special character or form to.
4. to make general;
   bring into general use or knowledge.

v.i. 

5. to form general principles, opinions, etc.
6. to deal, think, or speak in generalities.
7. to make general inferences.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] gen′er•al•ise′. 

• general + -ize 1745–55

gen′er•al•iz′a•ble, adj. 
gen′er•al•iz′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

generalize, generalise / ˈdʒɛnrəˌlaɪz/ verb

1. to form (general principles or conclusions) from (detailed facts, experience, etc); infer
2. (intransitive) to think or speak in generalities, esp in a prejudiced way
3. (tr; usually passive) to cause to become widely used or known