generic

1 of 2

adjective

ge·​ner·​ic jə-ˈner-ik How to pronounce generic (audio)
-ˈne-rik
Synonyms of generic
1
a
: relating to or characteristic of a whole group or class : general
"Romantic comedy" is the generic term for such films.
b
: not being or having a particular brand name
generic drugs
c
: having no particularly distinctive quality or application
generic restaurants
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
generically
jə-ˈner-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce generic (audio)
-ˈne-ri-
adverb
genericness noun

generic

2 of 2

noun

: a product (such as a drug) that does not have a brand name

Synonyms of generic

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Adjective

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Examples of generic in a Sentence

Adjective “Flu” is sometimes used as a generic term for any illness caused by a virus. a love of big things—big cars, big meals—seems to be a generic trait of the American people Noun You can substitute generics for brand-name drugs on this health plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Democrats are favored to win at least one chamber of Congress come November, leading the generic ballot by roughly 6 percentage points according to FiftyPlusOne, a website that tracks poll results. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 Democrats have a slight midterm lead Another finding across multiple polls was a slight edge by Democrats on the generic ballot in the upcoming midterm elections. — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
Unlike brand-name drugs, generics operate on thin margins, and 90% are manufactured overseas. — Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Gilead has also promised to sell the drug at no profit until generics hit the market. — Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for generic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French générique, from Latin gener-, genus birth, kind, class

Noun

derivative of generic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of generic was in 1676

Rhymes for generic

See All Rhymes for generic

Browse Nearby Words

generatrix
generic
generical
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Generic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

generic

adjective
ge·​ner·​ic
jə-ˈner-ik
1
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a whole group or class : general
b
: not protected by a trademark registration
generic drugs
2
: of, relating to, or having the rank of a biological genus
generically
-ner-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

generic

1 of 2 adjective
ge·​ner·​ic jə-ˈner-ik How to pronounce generic (audio)
1
: not protected by trademark registration : nonproprietary
nylon and aspirin are generic names
—used especially in trademark law
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
generically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce generic (audio)
adverb

generic

2 of 2 noun
: a generic drug
—usually used in plural

Legal Definition

generic

adjective
ge·​ner·​ic jə-ˈner-ik How to pronounce generic (audio)
1
: common or descriptive and not entitled to trademark protection : nonproprietary
the generic name of a drug
2
: having a nonproprietary name
generic drugs
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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