General vs. Special — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 20, 2024
General refers to a broad, inclusive scope, applicable to many situations, while special indicates a unique or specific context, tailored to particular circumstances.
Difference Between General and Special
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
General concepts apply widely across various fields and scenarios, embracing a broad spectrum of topics. On the other hand, special focuses on distinct or particular attributes, often tailored to specific needs or interests.
In terms of usage, general statements are typically used when providing overviews or summaries, capturing a wide array of information in a non-specific manner. Whereas, special is used to denote exclusivity or a focus on details that are not universally applicable.
From a linguistic standpoint, the term general is derived from the Latin word 'generalis', meaning widespread or common. In contrast, special comes from the Latin 'specialis', which conveys the idea of being distinguished or particular.
In education, general courses are designed to give students a broad knowledge base across multiple disciplines, suitable for a wide educational background. Special courses, however, are focused on specific areas of study, providing in-depth knowledge in a particular field.
In the context of advice or instructions, general guidelines are applicable in many situations, making them versatile and widely useful. Special instructions, however, are pertinent only to specific situations or conditions, requiring more detailed and precise information.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Scope
Broad and inclusive
Narrow and specific
Applicability
Universal, fits many scenarios
Tailored to particular situations
Origin
From Latin 'generalis'
From Latin 'specialis'
Usage in Education
Courses with wide-ranging content
Courses focused on specific topics
Type of Instructions
Applicable in various contexts
Specific to certain conditions
Compare with Definitions
General
Pertaining to an overall command or authority.
She reported directly to the general manager.
Special
Particularly distinguished or different from what is ordinary.
The chef prepared a special dish for the event.
General
Widely applicable or common.
In general, people prefer comfortable clothing.
Special
Having a unique or specific quality.
He has a special interest in medieval art.
General
Inclusive of a majority.
The general consensus was in favor of changing the policy.
Special
Designed for a specific purpose.
This tool has a special use in this machinery.
General
Not specific or detailed.
He gave a general description of the event.
Special
Requiring or receiving special treatment.
The case was handled by a special unit of the police.
General
Concerning the main or overall aspects.
The general opinion is that the project was a success.
Special
Limited in range or scope.
The museum held a special exhibition on ancient coins.
General
Affecting or concerning all or most people or things; widespread
Books of general interest
The general opinion was that prices would fall
Special
Surpassing what is common or usual; exceptional
A special occasion.
A special treat.
General
Considering or including only the main features or elements of something; not exact or detailed
The arrangements were outlined in very general terms
A general introduction to the subject
Special
Distinct among others of a kind
A special type of paint.
A special medication for arthritis.
General
Chief or principal
The general manager
The Director General of the BBC
Special
Primary
His special satisfaction comes from volunteer work.
General
A commander of an army, or an army officer of very high rank.
Special
Peculiar to a specific person or thing; particular
My own special chair.
The special features of a computer.
General
The general public.
Special
Having a limited or specific function, application, or scope
A special role in the mission.
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).
Special
Arranged for a particular occasion or purpose
A special visit from her daughter.
General
Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent
General discontent.
Special
Regarded with particular affection and admiration
A special friend.
General
Of or affecting the entire body
General paralysis.
Special
Additional; extra
A special holiday flight.
General
Being usually the case; true or applicable in most instances but not all
The general correctness of her decisions.
Special
Something arranged, issued, or appropriated to a particular service or occasion
Rode to work on the commuter special.
General
Not limited in scope, area, or application
As a general rule.
Special
A featured attraction, such as a reduced price
A special on salmon.
General
Not limited to or dealing with one class of things; diversified
General studies.
Special
A single television production that features a specific work, a given topic, or a particular performer.
General
Involving only the main features rather than precise details
A general grasp of the subject.
Special
Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.
A special episode of a television series
General
Highest or superior in rank
The general manager.
Special
Of particular personal interest or value; dear; beloved.
Everyone is special to someone.
General
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above lieutenant general.
Special
(euphemistic) Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.
Special education, special needs
He goes to a special school.
General
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Special
Constituting or relating to a species.
General
A general officer.
Special
Chief in excellence.
General
A statement, principle, or fact that embraces or is applicable to the whole.
Special
(military) Of or related to unconventional warfare.
Special forces, special operations
General
General anesthesia.
Special
A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.
We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
General
(Archaic) The public.
Special
One of a rotation of meals systematically offered for a lower price at a restaurant.
Today's special is our tuna melt on rye.
General
Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to specific or particular.
Special
(broadcasting) Unusual or exceptional episode of a series.
Did you see the Christmas special?
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.
Special
A special constable.
General
Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
Special
Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled.
Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
General
Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category.
Special
Any unlicensed medicine produced or obtained for a specific individual patient.
General
Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
Special
(journalism) A correspondent; a journalist sent to the scene of an event to report back.
General
Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area.
Special
(journalism) A dispatch sent back by a special correspondent.
General
A general fact or proposition; a generality.
We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.
Special
(theater) A light that illuminates a specific person or thing on the stage.
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.
Special
(law) A person appointed specifically to examine a single event or issue.
For the few times the U.S. Supreme Court has to actually try a case, they will appoint a special master to do so.
After the Watergate break in, a special prosecutor was appointed.
General
A great strategist or tactician.
Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
Special
(nursing) To supervise a patient one-on-one.
General
(Christianity) The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.
Special
Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort.
A special is called by the schools a "species".
General
(nautical) A commander of naval forces; an admiral.
Special
Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon.
Our Savior is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and the afficted.
To this special evil an improvement of style would apply a special redress.
General
A general servant; a maid with no specific duties.
Special
Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as, a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon.
General
(countable) A general anesthetic.
Special
Limited in range; confined to a definite field of action, investigation, or discussion; as, a special dictionary of commercial terms; a special branch of study.
General
(uncountable) General anesthesia.
Special
Chief in excellence.
The king hath drawnThe special head of all the land together.
General
The general insurance industry.
I work in general.
Special
A particular.
General
(xiangqi) A xiangqi piece, that is moved one point orthogonally and confined within the palace.
Special
One appointed for a special service or occasion.
General
To lead (soldiers) as a general.
Special
A special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising;
They are having a special on pork chops
General
(obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.
Special
A dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant
General
Relating to a genus or kind; pertaining to a whole class or order; as, a general law of animal or vegetable economy.
Special
A television production that features a particular person or work or topic;
The last of a series of BBC specials on Iran is being shown tonight
General
Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; including all particulars; as, a general inference or conclusion.
Special
Unique or specific to a person or thing or category;
The particular demands of the job
Has a paraticular preference for Chinese art
A peculiar bond of sympathy between them
An expression peculiar to Canadians
Rights peculiar to the rich
The special features of a computer
My own special chair
General
Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression.
Special
For a special service or occasion;
A special correspondent
A special adviser to the committee
Had to get special permission for the event
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.
Special
Surpassing what is common or usual or expected;
He paid especial attention to her
Exceptional kindness
A matter of particular and unusual importance
A special occasion
A special reason to confide in her
What's so special about the year 2000?
General
Having a relation to all; common to the whole; as, Adam, our general sire.
Special
Adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose;
A special kind of paint
A special medication for arthritis
General
As a whole; in gross; for the most part.
His general behavior vain, ridiculous.
Special
Having a specific function or scope;
A special (or specific) role in the mission
General
Usual; common, on most occasions; as, his general habit or method.
Special
First and most important;
His special interest is music
She gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work
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.
Special
Added to a regular schedule;
A special holiday flight
Put on special buses for the big game
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.
General
The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general.
General
The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.
General
The public; the people; the vulgar.
General
A general officer of the highest rank
General
The head of a religious order or congregation
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
General
Command as a general;
We are generaled by an incompetent!
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
General
Not specialized or limited to one class of things;
General studies
General knowledge
General
Of national scope;
A general election
General
Prevailing among and common to the general public;
The general discontent
General
Affecting the entire body;
A general anesthetic
General symptoms
General
Somewhat indefinite;
Bearing a general resemblance to the original
A general description of the merchandise
General
Of worldwide scope or applicability;
An issue of cosmopolitan import
The shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time
Universal experience
Common Curiosities
What does 'general' typically imply in conversation?
General implies something broad and encompassing, not focused on details.
Can something be both general and special?
Yes, something can be viewed as general in one context and special in another, depending on the perspective.
What does it mean when an event is called special?
It indicates that the event has specific significance or is different from regular occurrences.
How is 'special' used in the context of products or services?
Special in this context means products or services designed for particular needs or to stand out.
What is a general practitioner?
A general practitioner is a doctor who deals with a wide range of medical issues, not specializing in one area.
Why might a school offer general courses?
To provide students with foundational knowledge across various disciplines.
What kind of subjects might be covered in special courses?
Special courses focus on particular fields like advanced science, art techniques, or specialized technology.
Can general instructions apply to any field?
Generally, yes, they are versatile enough to be useful in multiple contexts.
How does a general audience differ from a special audience?
A general audience is broader and less defined, while a special audience is targeted and specific.
How does one decide between general advice and special advice?
General advice is useful in many situations, while special advice is best for specific circumstances.
Is general knowledge the same as common sense?
Not exactly; general knowledge is broad information across many areas, whereas common sense is practical understanding.
When should one use special tools or equipment?
When tasks require precise and particular functions not achievable with general tools.
What makes special occasions different from ordinary days?
Special occasions are marked by celebrations or specific commemorations that set them apart.
Why might a business prefer a general manager?
A general manager can oversee diverse areas of a business, providing broad leadership.
What role do special agents play in law enforcement?
They focus on specific criminal areas like cybercrime or narcotics.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Nasty vs. Filthy
Next Comparison
Refinement vs. PolishAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
