genre
ZHON-ruh
Genre (noun) means a category of artistic work, especially literature, music, or film, defined by a shared style or subject matter. Example: “Jazz is a genre I only began to appreciate in my thirties.”
noun
1
A category of artistic work, especially literature, music, or film, defined by a shared style or subject matter.
"Jazz is a genre I only began to appreciate in my thirties."
"Science fiction is her favorite genre to read."
"The band's sound blends elements from several genres."
How to use genre
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA type or category of creative work, like horror, romance, or jazz.
Common pairings
genre fiction
a new genre
blend genres
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Word forms
- Plural
- genres
- Third person singular
- genres
- Past tense
- genred
Fill the gap
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Jazz is a _____ I only began to appreciate in my thirties.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from French genre ("kind, type"), ultimately from Latin genus.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “genre” mean?
The word “genre” means a category of artistic work, especially literature, music, or film, defined by a shared style or subject matter. In plain terms, a type or category of creative work, like horror, romance, or jazz.
How do you pronounce “genre”?
“Genre” is pronounced ZHON-ruh (/ˈ(d)ʒɑnɹə/ in IPA).
How do you use “genre” in a sentence?
Here is “genre” used in a sentence: “Science fiction is her favorite genre to read.”
What part of speech is “genre”?
“Genre” is a noun.
Where does the word “genre” come from?
The word “genre” comes from Latin. Borrowed directly from French genre ("kind, type"), ultimately from Latin genus.
Is “genre” a common word?
“Genre” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "genre" and "style"?
A genre is a category of artistic work defined by shared subject matter or form, such as horror, jazz, or romance. Style refers to the distinctive manner in which a work is made, so very different styles can exist within the same genre.
What is the difference between a "genre" and a "subgenre"?
A genre is a broad category, while a subgenre is a more specific division within it. For example, science fiction is a genre, and cyberpunk is one of its subgenres.
Is "genre" used only for literature?
No. Although often linked with literature, "genre" applies to any artistic field, including music, film, painting, and video games. Any body of work sharing a recognizable style or subject can form a genre.
What are common collocations with "genre"?
"Genre" often pairs with words like literary, musical, and film, as in "literary genre." It also appears in phrases such as "genre-bending," "define a genre," and "cross genres."
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