generate
JEHN-uh-rayt
Generate (verb) means to produce or create something, especially as an effect or output. Example: “The new shop should generate plenty of jobs for local people.”
verb
1
To produce or create something, especially as an effect or output.
"The new shop should generate plenty of jobs for local people."
"Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight."
"The announcement generated a lot of excitement online."
2
To produce something as a result of a chemical, physical, or computational process.
"Rubbing the balloon on wool can generate a small static charge."
"The program will generate a unique password every time you press the button."
"The software can generate a report automatically."
How to use generate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make or produce something, often as an output of a process.
Common pairings
generate income
generate electricity
generate interest
generate a report
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- generates
- Past tense
- generated
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The new shop should _____ plenty of jobs for local people.
Etymology
From Latin generare ("to beget, produce"), from genus ("kind, race").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for generate
See all rhymes for generate →Frequently asked questions
What does “generate” mean?
The word “generate” means to produce or create something, especially as an effect or output. In plain terms, to make or produce something, often as an output of a process.
How do you pronounce “generate”?
“Generate” is pronounced JEHN-uh-rayt (/ˈd͡ʒɛn.ə.ɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “generate” in a sentence?
Here is “generate” used in a sentence: “Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight.”
What is the opposite of “generate”?
The opposite of “generate” — its antonyms — are abrogate, annihilate, extinguish, degenerate and obliterate.
What part of speech is “generate”?
“Generate” is a verb.
Where does the word “generate” come from?
The word “generate” comes from Latin. From Latin generare ("to beget, produce"), from genus ("kind, race").
Is “generate” a common word?
“Generate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “generate” have?
“Generate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to produce or create something, especially as an effect or output.
What is the difference between 'generate' and 'create'?
'Generate' emphasises producing something as an effect or output, often through an ongoing process, as in generating electricity or generating income. 'Create' stresses bringing something new into existence. You generate results from a process, but you create something original.
What is the difference between 'generate' and 'produce'?
The two are close in meaning and often interchangeable. 'Generate' leans toward output that results from a chemical, physical, or computational process, such as generating heat or data. 'Produce' is broader and applies to manufacturing goods or yielding results of many kinds.
What nouns commonly follow 'generate'?
Common collocations include generate electricity, generate power, generate heat, generate income, generate revenue, generate interest, and generate ideas. The verb pairs naturally with both physical outputs and abstract results.
What preposition is used with 'generate'?
'Generate' is often followed by 'from' to show the source, as in 'electricity generated from wind'. It can also take 'for' to show the beneficiary, as in 'generate revenue for the company'.
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