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

Baroque murders aside, and a modicum of genre clichés — an aggressive reporter, for instance, getting in our heroes’ way — it’s rooted in humans being human, and as absurd as everything is to do with Ramsay, the detectives, their families and friends live in a nicely sketched community in a well-drawn, relatively real world.

From Los Angeles Times

So it’s kind of refreshing that four new out and proud additions to the genre are set to make their mark this awards season.

From Los Angeles Times

For the record, I appreciated his performance and I mostly enjoyed watching “Heretic,” which, though predictable at times, sounds all the requisite creepy notes while still being more thoughtful and less bloody than much of the genre.

From Los Angeles Times

Manchester is home to the UK's biggest K-Pop shop and, on Sunday morning, the staff couldn't quite believe one of the genre's biggest girl bands had landed in their city.

From BBC

“You’re not excluded from consideration because you’re popular. But you’re also not excluded if you’re an artist that’s working in a genre other than one of the most popular genres. I’m gratified that there’s room for all different forms of music-making and creativity.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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