genetic

1 of 2

adjective

ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈne-tik 

variants or less commonly genetical

jə-ˈne-ti-kəl 

1

: relating to or determined by the origin, development, or causal antecedents of something

2

a

: of, relating to, or involving genetics

b

: of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes

a genetic disease

genetic variation

genetically

jə-ˈne-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

-genetic

2 of 2

adjective combining form

1

: -genic sense 1

organogenetic

2

: -genic sense 2

psychogenetic

Synonyms of genetic

Adjective

• hereditary
• inherent
• inherited
• inheritable

Examples of genetic in a Sentence

Adjective

hemophilia and other genetic medical disorders

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For instance, some encode genes that boost bacterial survival and facilitate genetic exchange, helping microbes adapt to extreme toxicity. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

The family’s story is mostly told from the perspective of Barb, the youngest sibling, who pushes for answers but puts off obtaining her own genetic test results. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026

But how much genetic change constitutes complete domestication? — Ornob Alam, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, those with the highest genetic susceptibility to ADHD were found to have a 35% greater risk of dementia than those with the lowest susceptibility. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

genesis

First Known Use

Adjective

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing genetic

• genetic code
• genetic counseling
• genetic drift
• genetic engineering
• genetic fingerprinting
• genetic load
• genetic map
• genetic marker
• genetic modification
• genetic mutation

Rhymes for genetic

• acetic
• aesthetic
• ascetic
• athletic
• cosmetic
• diegetic
• aeromagnetic
• antiemetic
• antipathetic
• apologetic
• biogenetic
• biomimetic

Kids Definition

genetic

adjective

ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈnet-ik 

variants also genetical

-i-kəl 

: of, relating to, or involving genes or genetics

genetic research

also : caused or controlled by genes

a genetic disease

genetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

genetic

adjective

ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈnet-ik 

variants also genetical

-i-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or involving genetics

2

: of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes

a genetic disease

genetic material

compare acquired sense 1

genetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb