generic

1 of 2

adjective

ge·​ner·​ic jə-ˈner-ik 

-ˈne-rik

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 

-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

Adjective

• general
• overall
• common
• universal

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

Adjective

There’s a lot riding on the sensational K-pop group’s first album in four years, but its generic songs ring hollow and lack the vim and vigor of the band’s best work. —Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images The first wave of generic versions of Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 weight-loss drugs launched in India over the weekend, with at least five domestic drugmakers undercutting the original price by up to 80%. —Priyanka Salve,elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026

Noun

Those generics are also widely available through other discount sites or at local pharmacies. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026

Typically, generics sell for less than brand-name drugs, but this situation did not follow the usual pattern. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for generic

• chimeric
• dimeric
• homeric
• hysteric
• numeric
• allosteric
• amphoteric
• anomeric
• atmospheric
• chromospheric
• climacteric
• congeneric

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 

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 

adverb

generic

2 of 2 noun

: a generic drug

—usually used in plural

Legal Definition

generic

adjective

ge·​ner·​ic jə-ˈner-ik 

1

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

the generic name of a drug

2

: having a nonproprietary name

generic drugs