generic

generic — adjective

1. describing a whole class or category of things rather than a specific item — for

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing a whole class or category of things rather than a specific item — for example, 'bird' is a generic term that covers sparrows, eagles, and penguins.

Example

Furniture is a generic word for objects like tables, chairs, and beds.

generic word for [category]

When you say 'citrus fruit', you use a generic term that covers oranges and lemons.

Common collocations
  • generic term
  • generic name
  • generic label
  • generic category
  • generic description
  • generic word for
Synonyms
  • general

    broader, less tied to a taxonomic class; 'general idea' ≠ 'generic term'

  • blanket

    implies covering all cases in a rule-like way (blanket ban, blanket statement); more forceful than generic

  • umbrella

    informal; describes a category that includes various sub-items ('umbrella term')

Antonyms
  • specific

    refers to one particular item rather than a class

  • individual

    emphasises single items rather than groups

Grammar Patterns

generic + noun (term, name, label, category)

generic word for [category]

Usage Note

Often modifies nouns like 'term,' 'name,' 'label,' and 'category,' where the noun being described represents a supercategory that includes multiple specific items.

Common Mistakes

The instructions were too generic to follow.
The instructions were too general to follow.
'generic' describes a class or category; 'general' means broad or not detailed.

2. sold under its chemical or common name rather than a brand name, typically at a

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

sold under its chemical or common name rather than a brand name, typically at a lower price because the original manufacturer's legal protection has expired — used especially for drugs and consumer products.

Example

The pharmacist recommended a generic version of the allergy medicine at half the price.

generic version of [brand-name drug]

Many hospitals buy generic drugs to lower their costs while still offering effective treatment.

Common collocations
  • generic drug
  • generic version
  • generic product
  • generic medication
  • generic painkiller
  • generic brand
Synonyms
  • non-proprietary

    more formal; used in legal and regulatory contexts

  • unbranded

    focuses on the absence of a brand name; common in retail

  • no-name

    informal; slightly negative tone, implies cheap or low-status

Antonyms
  • brand-name

    sold under a specific company's registered trademark

  • proprietary

    legally owned and controlled by a particular company

Grammar Patterns

generic + noun (drug, version, product, medication)

generic + noun vs brand-name + noun

Usage Note

Common in medical and pharmaceutical contexts. The opposite is 'brand-name' or 'proprietary.' Also used for non-medical products such as groceries and household cleaners.

Common Mistakes

I bought a generic medicine that has no active ingredients.
I bought a generic medicine that has the same active ingredients as the brand-name version.
generic drugs are chemically identical; they are not weaker or different.

3. bland and ordinary in a way that shows no imagination or distinctive character —

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

bland and ordinary in a way that shows no imagination or distinctive character — for example, a generic hotel room that looks exactly like every other chain hotel.

Example

The hotel room had generic furniture that looked the same as every other chain hotel.

generic furniture — lacking distinctive character

Critics called the film generic and said it copied scenes from several older movies.

Common collocations
  • generic furniture
  • generic design
  • generic response
  • generic greeting card
  • generic décor
  • generic look
Synonyms
  • unoriginal

    directly states a lack of new ideas; slightly more negative

  • cookie-cutter

    informal, vivid; suggests mass-produced identical design

  • standardised

    can be neutral or positive; 'generic' is always negative in this sense

Antonyms
  • original

    new and creative; the direct opposite of unoriginal

  • unique

    one of a kind; far stronger contrast with generic

Grammar Patterns

generic + noun (design, response, speech, décor)

feel/look/be + generic

Usage Note

Carries a mildly negative connotation — describes something disappointing because of its lack of originality. Not interchangeable with 'general' in this sense.

Common Mistakes

She wore a generic dress to the party' (when meaning 'ordinary').
She wore a simple dress to the party.
'generic' adds a negative judgment about boring standardisation, not just simplicity.

generic — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Generic' describes something that belongs to an entire class or category, like 'furniture' as a generic term for tables and chairs. 'General' means broad or not detailed — 'general advice' is not tailored to one situation, but it does not imply a taxonomic relationship. 'Universal' applies everywhere without exception, a stronger and more absolute claim than generic. 'Common' means frequently encountered or widely shared, with no sense of category membership. 'Blanket' (adjective) refers to something that covers all cases in a rule-like manner, such as a 'blanket ban.' For example, 'bird is a generic term for sparrows and eagles' vs 'she gave a general overview of the project' vs 'a universal health-care policy' vs 'a common cold remedy.'

general ↗universal ↗common ↗blanket ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • generic term for
  • generic version of
  • known generically as

Prepositions

  • as (known generically as)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'genus' meaning 'race, kind, or birth.' The word entered English through French 'générique,' first used in the 1600s to mean 'belonging to a class.' Its modern uses — for trademark-free drugs (adjective sense 2) and unoriginal products (adjective sense 3) — developed in the 20th century as consumer culture expanded.