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

This generic advice is helpful but does not go nearly far enough.

From Los Angeles Times

"By taking advantage of the weight matrix rather than just using a generic compression algorithm for the bits that are representing the weight matrix, we were able to do much better."

From Science Daily

What did she see in him beyond his golden good looks, artistry and generic sweetness?

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

I know that’s a generic answer, but I am genuinely inspired by the quality of shellfish available here, which I think is among the best in the world.

From Salon

Related Words

• universal