generic

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adjective ge·ner·ic \ jə-ˈner-ik , -ˈne-rik \

Definition 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

play \jə-ˈner-i-k(ə-)lē, -ˈne-ri-\ adverb

—

genericness

noun

See generic defined for English-language learners

See generic defined for kids

Examples of generic in a Sentence

“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

Recent Examples of generic from the Web

For some, this is evidence of Taylor continuing feuds that should have died years ago and throwing generic digs at her critics.

— alexis dent, Glamour, "It's Time for Taylor Swift to Admit She's Earned Her Reputation," 25 Aug. 2017
The walls are papered in a hodgepodge of generic decor –

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "BBQ joint taking over Lynn's Paradise site is 'generally' pleasing | Review," 16 Aug. 2017
The orgiastic glee with which protesters tore down, then beat up, a century-old monument to a generic Confederate soldier in Durham, N.C., this week was alarming.

— kyle smith, National Review, "Destroying Symbols: Where Does It End?," 15 Aug. 2017
The suit, filed Monday in Rhode Island, accuses CVS Health Corporation of overbilling customers who used insurance to pay for certain generic drugs.

— leada gore, AL.com, "CVS lawsuit: Chain charges more for customers with insurance, suit claims," 9 Aug. 2017
First, Bryan gets a very generic hot air balloon date where he and Rachel cuddle and kiss while looking at the beautiful Spanish countryside.

— alex rees, Cosmopolitan, "Bachelorette Finale Recap: There's a Big Proposal, So Why Isn't This Finale Joyous?!," 9 Aug. 2017
House brands have grown into a big business Kroger's house brand business has evolved way beyond a bargain can of corn or generic jar of jelly in a plain wrapper.

— alexander coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "The Simple Truth: Private Selection, other Kroger brands drive sales," 26 July 2017
The machine turns on and spins for exactly three seconds before a generic image of a person shows up on the official’s screen.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "This is what it’s like behind the scenes of TSA security at Miami airport," 21 July 2017
True Captagon (generic name: fenethylline) was produced as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

— The Economist, "Captured by CaptagonA new drug of choice in the Gulf," 18 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'generic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of generic

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1676

See Words from the same year

generic Synonyms

Synonyms

across-the-board, blanket, broad-brush, common, general, global, overall, universal

Antonyms

individual, particular

Related Words

all-embracing, broad, broad-gauge (or broad-gauged), broadscale, comprehensive, extensive, inclusionary, overarching, pervasive, sweeping, ubiquitous, wholesale, wide, widespread; aggregate, collective, complete, full, plenary; planetary, worldwide

Near Antonyms

component, constituent; cross-sectional, divisional, fragmentary, partial; local, localized, regional, sectional

Other Pharmacology Terms

anodyne, cathartic, emetic, emollient, liniment, paregoric, poultice, purgative, soporific, spectrum

generic

noun

Definition of generic

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

See generic defined for English-language learners

Examples of generic in a Sentence

You can substitute generics for brand-name drugs on this health plan.

Recent Examples of generic from the Web

Immediate treatment for reactions involves receiving a dose of epinephrine from an injection such as Auvi-Q, Epipen or a generic, then antihistamines and steroids.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Carpentersville fire battalion chief's death caused by bee stings," 17 Aug. 2017
Teva, working to pare about $35 billion in debt after an ill-timed acquisition of Allergan PLC’s generics division, is selling off assets.

— Philly.com, "Teva is said to ramp up sales with Medis, respiratory units," 17 Aug. 2017
The company’s pharmaceutical segment endured ongoing profit pressures for generics and the loss of a major customer but lessened the blows with new drug launches and sales growth; its medical segment grew because of acquisitions.

— Fortune, "Cardinal Health," 21 July 2017
Antibiotics are not usually needed, and anti-diarrhea meds such as loperamide (Imodium A-D and generic) and diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil and generic) do little to help and could hinder recovery.

— consumer reports, Washington Post, "He had fever, night sweats, joint pain: Food poisoning’s other symptoms," 26 June 2017
Elsewhere, insurers and hospitals may encourage doctors to prescribe a generic drug over an expensive one by displaying the generic more prominently on a form.

— lisa ward, WSJ, "The Case for Giving Health-Care Consumers a ‘Nudge’," 25 June 2017
That's the generic of Suboxone, although the brand also has the opioid-blocker naloxone in it.

— terry demio, Cincinnati.com, "Kentucky has most opioid-dependent patients with private insurance," 19 June 2017
The dispute involves the drug Zarxio, a generic that Sandoz developed to compete with Neupogen that sells for about 15 percent less than the original product.

— sam hananel, The Seattle Times, "High court ruling speeds up generic biotech drug approval," 12 June 2017
Current research by the University of Wisconsin’s Sorensen finds physicians with access to data about drug prices and insurance coverage are more likely to prescribe generics.

— NBC News, "Former Pharma Rep Now Helps Doctors Save Money on Drugs," 9 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of generic

derivative of ¹generic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1967

See Words from the same year

Other Pharmacology Terms

anodyne, cathartic, emetic, emollient, liniment, paregoric, poultice, purgative, soporific, spectrum

GENERIC Defined for English Language Learners

generic

play

adjective

Definition of generic for English Language Learners

: of or relating to a whole group or class
: not sold or made under a particular brand name
biology : of or relating to a genus

generic

noun

Definition of generic for English Language Learners

: a product (such as a drug) that is not sold or made under a particular brand name : a generic product

Medical Dictionary

generic

play

adjective ge·ner·ic \ jə-ˈner-ik \

medical Definition of generic

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

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

generic

noun

medical Definition of generic

:a generic drug —usually used in plural

Law Dictionary

generic

play

adjective ge·ner·ic \ jə-ˈner-ik \

legal Definition of generic

1 :common or descriptive and not entitled to trademark protection :nonproprietary

the generic name of a drug

2 :having a nonproprietary name

generic drugs

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Origin and Etymology of generic

generic Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

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Other Pharmacology Terms

generic

Definition of generic

Examples of generic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of generic from the Web

Origin and Etymology of generic

Other Pharmacology Terms

GENERIC Defined for English Language Learners

generic

Definition of generic for English Language Learners

generic

Definition of generic for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

generic

medical Definition of generic

generically

generic

medical Definition of generic

Law Dictionary

generic

legal Definition of generic

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