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

Even low levels can cause harm over time, contributing to nerve damage, brain cell death, genetic deformities, organ failure and cancers. — Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026

Researchers are continuing to investigate the plant remains through genetic analysis. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

The team found that the ARC score matched or outperformed standard risk measures, including amyloid and tau biomarkers as well as genetic testing, in spotting early decline. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Their discovery could open the door to fixing genetic muscle disorders like Duchenne muscular dystrophy before the damage is done. — Gerry Smith, CNBC, 6 Nov. 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