General vs. Particular — What's the Difference?

Affecting or concerning all or most people or things; widespread

In metaphysics, particulars or individuals are usually contrasted with universals. Universals concern features that can be exemplified by various different particulars.

Considering or including only the main features or elements of something; not exact or detailed

Used to single out an individual member of a specified group or class

Chief or principal

Especially great or intense

A commander of an army, or an army officer of very high rank.

Insisting that something should be correct or suitable in every detail; fastidious

The general public.

A detail

Concerned with, applicable to, or affecting the whole or every member of a class or category

An individual item, as contrasted with a universal quality

Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent

Of, belonging to, or associated with a specific person, group, thing, or category; not general or universal

Of or affecting the entire body

Distinctive among others of the same group, category, or nature; noteworthy or exceptional

Being usually the case; true or applicable in most instances but not all

Of, relating to, or providing details; precise

Not limited in scope, area, or application

Attentive to or concerned with details or niceties, often excessively so; fussy.

Not limited to or dealing with one class of things; diversified

(Logic) Encompassing some but not all of the members of a class or group. Used of a proposition.

Involving only the main features rather than precise details

An individual item, fact, or detail

Highest or superior in rank

(Logic) A particular proposition.

A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above lieutenant general.

(obsolete) Pertaining only to a part of something; partial.

One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.

Specific; discrete; concrete.

A general officer.

Specialised; characteristic of a specific person or thing.

A statement, principle, or fact that embraces or is applicable to the whole.

(obsolete) Known only to an individual person or group; confidential.

General anesthesia.

Distinguished in some way; special (often in negative constructions).

(Archaic) The public.

(comparable) Of a person, concerned with, or attentive to, details; fastidious.

Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to specific or particular.

Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise.

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.

(law) Containing a part only; limited.

Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.

(legal) Holding a particular estate.

Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category.

(logic) Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject.

Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.

A small individual part of something larger; a detail, a point.

Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area.

(obsolete) A person's own individual case.

A general fact or proposition; a generality.

A particular case; an individual thing as opposed to a whole class. (Opposed to generals, universals.)

(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.

Relating to a part or portion of anything; concerning a part separated from the whole or from others of the class; separate; sole; single; individual; specific; as, the particular stars of a constellation.

A great strategist or tactician.

Of or pertaining to a single person, class, or thing; belonging to one only; not general; not common; hence, personal; peculiar; singular.

(Christianity) The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.

Separate or distinct by reason of superiority; distinguished; important; noteworthy; unusual; special; as, he brought no particular news; she was the particular belle of the party.

(nautical) A commander of naval forces; an admiral.

Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise; as, a full and particular account of an accident; hence, nice; fastidious; as, a man particular in his dress.

A general servant; a maid with no specific duties.

Containing a part only; limited; as, a particular estate, or one precedent to an estate in remainder.

(countable) A general anesthetic.

Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject; as, a particular proposition; - opposed to universal: e. g. (particular affirmative) Some men are wise; (particular negative) Some men are not wise.

(uncountable) General anesthesia.

A separate or distinct member of a class, or part of a whole; an individual fact, point, circumstance, detail, or item, which may be considered separately; as, the particulars of a story.

The general insurance industry.

Special or personal peculiarity, trait, or character; individuality; interest, etc.

(xiangqi) A xiangqi piece, that is moved one point orthogonally and confined within the palace.

One of the details or items of grounds of claim; - usually in the pl.; also, a bill of particulars; a minute account; as, a particular of premises.

To lead (soldiers) as a general.

A fact about some part (as opposed to general);

(obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.

A small part that can be considered separately from the whole;

Relating to a genus or kind; pertaining to a whole class or order; as, a general law of animal or vegetable economy.

Unique or specific to a person or thing or category;

Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; including all particulars; as, a general inference or conclusion.

Separate and distinct from others;

Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression.

Separate and distinct from others of the same group or category;

Common to many, or the greatest number; widely spread; prevalent; extensive, though not universal; as, a general opinion; a general custom.

Surpassing what is common or usual or expected;

Having a relation to all; common to the whole; as, Adam, our general sire.

First and most important;

As a whole; in gross; for the most part.

Exacting especially about details;

Usual; common, on most occasions; as, his general habit or method.

Providing specific details or circumstances;

The whole; the total; that which comprehends or relates to all, or the chief part; - opposed to particular.

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.

The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general.

The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.

The public; the people; the vulgar.

A general officer of the highest rank

The head of a religious order or congregation

A fact about the whole (as opposed to particular);

Command as a general;

Applying to all or most members of a category or group;

Not specialized or limited to one class of things;

Of national scope;

Prevailing among and common to the general public;

Affecting the entire body;

Somewhat indefinite;

Of worldwide scope or applicability;