adj
Common
generic
j-NEH-rihk
Generic (adj) means applying broadly to a whole class or category rather than one specific item; not brand-specific. Example: “Ask the pharmacist whether a generic tablet is available instead of the branded one.”
adj
1
Applying broadly to a whole class or category rather than one specific item; not brand-specific.
"Ask the pharmacist whether a generic tablet is available instead of the branded one."
"She bought the generic version of the medicine to save money."
"The store sells generic cola alongside the name brands."
2
Lacking any distinctive or original qualities; bland and unoriginal.
"The speech was so generic that it could have suited any company at all."
"I found the hotel room generic, with no personality or charm."
"The movie had a pretty generic plot with no real surprises."
How to use generic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot tied to one specific brand or original idea — a general, unbranded, or unoriginal version.
Common mistake
"Generic" describing a product (like a drug) is neutral — it just means non-branded, not necessarily low quality.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
generic brand
generic drug
generic term
generic name
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Word forms
- Plural
- generics
- Comparative
- more generic
- Superlative
- most generic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Ask the pharmacist whether a _____ tablet is available instead of the branded one.
Etymology
From Latin genus ("kind, class") plus the adjective suffix -ic, via French générique.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for generic
See all rhymes for generic →Frequently asked questions
What does “generic” mean?
The word “generic” means applying broadly to a whole class or category rather than one specific item; not brand-specific. In plain terms, not tied to one specific brand or original idea — a general, unbranded, or unoriginal version.
How do you pronounce “generic”?
“Generic” is pronounced j-NEH-rihk (/dʒᵻˈnɛ.ɹɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “generic” in a sentence?
Here is “generic” used in a sentence: “She bought the generic version of the medicine to save money.”
What is another word for “generic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “generic” include general, classic, indefinite, catholic, common and ecumenical.
What is the opposite of “generic”?
The opposite of “generic” — its antonyms — are specific, particular, concrete, non-generic and proprietary.
What part of speech is “generic”?
“Generic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “generic” come from?
The word “generic” comes from Latin. From Latin genus ("kind, class") plus the adjective suffix -ic, via French générique.
Is “generic” a common word?
“Generic” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "generic" and "brand-name"?
A "generic" product applies broadly to a whole class or category and is not brand-specific, while a "brand-name" product is sold under a particular company's trademark. Generic medicines, for example, contain the same active ingredient as their brand-name versions.
What is the difference between "generic" and "general"?
"Generic" means applying to a whole class rather than one specific item, and often implies not being brand-specific or being bland and unoriginal. "General" simply means affecting the whole rather than the particular, without those branding or dullness overtones.
When does "generic" have a negative meaning?
"Generic" is negative when it means lacking any distinctive or original qualities, as in "a generic pop song." Here it criticises something for being bland and unoriginal, rather than simply describing it as non-branded.
What nouns commonly follow "generic"?
"Generic" often precedes nouns like "generic drug," "generic brand," "generic term," and "generic response." The tone shifts from neutral, meaning not brand-specific, to critical, meaning bland, depending on the noun.
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