generic

[ juh-ner-ik ]

adjective

1. of, applicable to, or referring to all the members of a genus, class, group, or kind; not specific; general.

   Synonyms: universal, common

   Antonyms: specific

2. of, relating to, or noting a genus especially in biology.
3. (of a word) applicable or referring to both men and women:

   a generic pronoun.

4. not protected by trademark registration:

   “Cola” and “shuttle” are generic terms.

   Synonyms: unbranded

5. having no distinguishing characteristics; commonplace:

   There are a lot of generic interviews, and the lack of unique perspective you get from interviewers is somewhat shocking.

noun

1. something that is generic.
2. any product, as a type of food, drug, or cosmetic commonly marketed under a brand name, that is sold in a package without a brand.
3. a wine made from two or more varieties of grapes, with no one grape constituting more than half the product ( varietal ).

generic

/ dʒɪˈnɛrɪk /

adjective

1. applicable or referring to a whole class or group; general
2. biology of, relating to, or belonging to a genus

   the generic name

3. denoting the nonproprietary name of a drug, food product, etc

noun

1. a drug, food product, etc that does not have a trademark

Derived Forms

• geˈnerically, adverb

Other Words From

• ge·ner·i·cal·ly adverb
• ge·ner·i·cal·ness noun
• non·ge·ner·ic adjective
• non·ge·ner·i·cal adjective
• non·ge·ner·i·cal·ly adverb
• pseu·do·ge·ner·ic adjective
• pseu·do·ge·ner·i·cal adjective
• pseu·do·ge·ner·i·cal·ly adverb
• su·per·ge·ner·ic adjective
• su·per·ge·ner·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·ge·ner·ic adjective
• un·ge·ner·i·cal adjective
• un·ge·ner·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of generic¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Latin gener- ( gender ¹ ) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of generic¹

C17: from French; see genus

Example Sentences

For much of Chen’s early career in Hollywood she was cast in generic Asian roles — think “On Deadly Ground” with Steven Seagal, or “Judge Dredd” with Sylvester Stallone.

From Los Angeles Times

It feels like a very generic adaptation with a celebrity narrator, when Graham’s Beth could have had a stronger presence in the film for connection to contemporary times, and a reason why we should take heed of this retro fable.

From Los Angeles Times

People are regularly worried about whether their generic kitchen goods are poisoning them.

From Slate

They are dressed like extras in a romantic comedy set at a generic Mexican Dodgers bar.

From Los Angeles Times

Sure, he has some generic stuff—“Trump flags, whatever, I buy them off Amazon for five dollars to sell for $19.95. I mean, you can’t get any stupider than that. D’you understand?”—but for the most part, it seems, his Trump merchandise is there as much to communicate the store’s ethos as it is to be sold.

From Slate

Related Words

• universal