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

The four sisters from Georgia fit right into the genre’s tradition of storytelling, and use it to connect, not divide.

From Los Angeles Times

That audience anticipation could convince other studios to reconsider musicals, “and not treat them as the black sheep of genres,” said Robbins of Fandango.

From Los Angeles Times

With the series, they’re not out to disparage the genre but to more or less lament what franchises have become.

From Los Angeles Times

Once upon a time, there were four-quadrant films in virtually every genre.

From Los Angeles Times

When he got into the detective genre, with “The Maltese Falcon,” it was a whole new arc for him.

From Salon

Related Words

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