genus
5 synonyms for genus, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A biological classification rank grouping closely related species, sitting below family and above species.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use genus
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
genus and species
a new genus
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin genus ("birth, origin, kind"), from the same root that gives us gender and genre.
Full origin of genus →Frequently asked questions
What does “genus” mean?
The word “genus” means a biological classification rank grouping closely related species, sitting below family and above species. In plain terms, a scientific grouping of related living things, one level above species.
How do you pronounce “genus”?
“Genus” is pronounced JEE-nuhs (/ˈd͡ʒiːnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “genus” in a sentence?
Here is “genus” used in a sentence: “Lions and tigers belong to the genus Panthera.”
What part of speech is “genus”?
“Genus” is a noun.
Where does the word “genus” come from?
The word “genus” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin genus ("birth, origin, kind"), from the same root that gives us gender and genre.
Is “genus” a common word?
“Genus” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “genus” have?
“Genus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a biological classification rank grouping closely related species, sitting below family and above species.
What is the difference between a genus and a species?
A genus is a biological classification rank grouping closely related species, sitting above species in the taxonomic hierarchy. A species is a more specific rank within a genus, referring to a single distinct type of organism that can typically interbreed.
What is the difference between a genus and a family in biological classification?
A genus groups closely related species together, while a family is a broader rank that sits above genus and groups multiple related genera together.
How is a genus name written in a scientific species name?
In binomial nomenclature, the genus name is capitalized and italicized, and it is followed by a lowercase, italicized species name, as in Homo sapiens, where "Homo" is the genus.
