generic
gb/d͡ʒənˈɛɹɪk/ us/d͡ʒənˈɛɹɪk/
B1
English
~ 3100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
usual or not specific
Describes something common to many things, not special or unique.
Usage pattern:
a generic [product/term/description]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'generic' with 'genetic', which relates to genes.
Synonyms
common (Implies widespread occurrence without emphasizing lack of uniqueness.)
|
standard (Implies conformity to a norm or model, often in a neutral or positive sense.)
Antonyms
specific (Focuses on particular and unique details, opposite of broad or general.)
|
unique (Highlights being one of a kind, not typical.)
Collocations
generic brand
|generic term
|generic description
|generic name
Themes
descriptions
|classification
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This is just a generic brand of cereal, but it tastes fine.
- That movie had a pretty generic plot.
- She used a generic greeting in the email.
Learner examples
- This is a generic phone charger.
- The story was very generic.
- He gave a generic answer.
adjective
technical
B1
property
2
unbranded product type
A product with no brand name that works the same as the branded one.
Usage pattern:
a generic [drug/product]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'generic' means 'bad quality', but it only means 'no brand name'.
Synonyms
unbranded (Emphasizes absence of a brand identity.)
|
nonproprietary (Technical term often used in pharmaceutical contexts.)
Antonyms
branded (Specifies that the product has a trademarked brand name.)
Collocations
generic drug
|generic medicine
|generic version
Themes
business
|health
Examples
- The doctor prescribed a generic drug to save costs.
- You can buy the generic version for half the price.
- Generic medicines are just as effective as branded ones.
Learner examples
- This is a generic pen.
- The store sells generic milk.
- He bought generic medicine from the pharmacy.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
pertaining to a group or class
Used in science to talk about a whole group, not one member.
Usage pattern:
a generic [name/term/classification]
Synonyms
categorical (Refers to belonging to a category, though more common in logic/philosophy contexts.)
Collocations
generic name
|generic category
|generic classification
Themes
science
|classification
|education
Examples
- In biology, the generic name comes before the species name.
- 'Dog' is a generic term for many breeds.
- Linguists use generic terms for broad language families.
Learner examples
- In science, a generic name means the group name.
- 'Fruit' is a generic word.
- The generic term for cats is 'feline'.
Grammar
Dictionary form
generic
IPA
GB/d͡ʒənˈɛɹɪk/
US/d͡ʒənˈɛɹɪk/
Syllables & stress
gen - er - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (er)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: generic
Word family
Core family
generically
adverb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
specific
adjective B1
specifically
adverb B1
Expressions
generic brand
1/d͡ʒənˈɛɹɪk bɹˈænd/
fixed phrase
unbranded product equivalent to branded one
A product with no brand name that works like the branded version.
Examples
- This cereal is just a generic brand, but it tastes fine.
- Generic brands are often cheaper than name brands.
generic name
1/d͡ʒənˈɛɹɪk nˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
technical
scientific genus or category name
In science, the name for a group of similar things or species.
Examples
- In 'Homo sapiens', 'Homo' is the generic name.
- The generic name comes before the species in biology.
generic term
1/d͡ʒənˈɛɹɪk tˈɚm/
fixed phrase
word for general category
A word that names a whole group of things, not one specific thing.
Examples
- 'Vehicle' is a generic term that includes cars, buses, and trucks.
- 'Teacher' is a generic term for many kinds of educators.