subgenre

noun

sub·​genre ˈsəb-ˌzhän-rə How to pronounce subgenre (audio)
-ˌzhäⁿ-;
-ˌzhäⁿr;
-ˌjän-rə
variants or less commonly sub-genre
plural subgenres also sub-genres
: a genre that is part of a larger genre
The series is part of the booming "urban fantasy" subgenre, which features supernatural creatures interacting with ordinary humans in a contemporary city.—Jennifer Schuessler

Examples of subgenre in a Sentence

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.
The song was a frenetic evolution of Brooklyn drill—the grimy, bone-rattling subgenre of hip-hop popularized by Bobby Shmurda—and its instrumental by the British producer 808Melo gave it a brash East London bounce. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 The successful release proved that Linkin Park was here to stay, and also that the nu metal subgenre the band helped popularize at the turn of the century was not done ruling the airwaves. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 There’s a reason this subgenre fizzled — very few writers could match the wit and imagination of Tarantino, much less its patron saint, Elmore Leonard. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 And a late-night-style sports show is an almost entirely new subgenre. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subgenre

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subgenre was in 1903

Rhymes for subgenre

See All Rhymes for subgenre

Browse Nearby Words

subgenotype
subgenre
subgenus
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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