genre

[ zhahn-ruh; French zhahn-ruh ]

noun

, plural gen·res [zhahn, -r, uh, z, zhahn, -, r, uh].

1. a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique, or the like:

   the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music.

2. Fine Arts.
   1. paintings in which scenes of everyday life form the subject matter.
   2. a realistic style of painting using such subject matter.
3. genus; kind; sort; style.

adjective

1. Fine Arts. of or relating to genre.
2. of or relating to a distinctive literary type.

genre

/ ˈʒɑːnrə /

noun

1. 1. kind, category, or sort, esp of literary or artistic work
   2. ( as modifier )

      genre fiction

2. a category of painting in which domestic scenes or incidents from everyday life are depicted

genre

1. The kind or type of a work of art, from the French, meaning “kind” or “ genus .” Literary genres include the novel and the sonnet . Musical genres include the concerto and the symphony . Film genres include Westerns and horror movies.

Word History and Origins

Origin of genre¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from French: “kind, sort”; gender ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of genre¹

C19: from French, from Old French gendre; see gender

Example Sentences

Still, he read the screenplay with “extreme skepticism. I couldn’t imagine my aesthetic voice could be so applicable to this genre and tone and scale, even though I was a huge fan.”

From Los Angeles Times

The album, which includes duets with Miley Cyrus and Post Malone, leans into the country genre and is the second of a planned trilogy that started with Renaissance.

From BBC

During her acceptance speech she hit out against the tendency of Western award bodies to group all African artists under the umbrella of "Afrobeats" - a genre of music more associated with Nigeria and West Africa.

From BBC

It crossed languages, genres and generations, with commentary offered in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French and German.

From BBC

Beyoncé’s entry into the genre shined a light not only on her own relationship with country music, but also on the long journey of other Black country artists.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brand
• category
• character
• fashion
• kind
• style