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

The sale raised concerns that sensitive genetic data could fall into the wrong hands. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to develop blood clots. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

The gecko’s unique features and genetic divergence from related species led to its classification as a new species. — Aspen Pflughoeft, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026

In Chile, researchers recently discovered ancient smallpox DNA in two centuries-old mummies, providing the first genetic evidence of the disease in that region of South America. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 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