subgenre
noun
sub·genre
ˈsəb-ˌzhän-rə 
-ˌzhäⁿ-;
-ˌzhäⁿr;
-ˌjän-rə
variants
or less commonly sub-genre
plural subgenres also sub-genres
: a genre that is part of a larger genre
The series is part of the booming "urban fantasy" subgenre, which features supernatural creatures interacting with ordinary humans in a contemporary city.—
Jennifer Schuessler
Jennifer SchuesslerExamples of subgenre in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The subgenre is often marked by mental health struggles, self-destructive behavior, inner turmoil, unfulfilling or otherwise lacking relationships and an overall sense of melancholy.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
Independent film has been declared dead often enough to qualify as a horror subgenre.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025
Until Dawn Until Dawn didn’t seem to impress many devotees of the 2015 video game that inspired it, but I was charmed by its Groundhog Day approach to exploring multiple subgenres.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
How does the Recording Academy deal with fragmentation and the fact that music fans are listening to more subgenres and global artists than ever?
—Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subgenre
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Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
Independent film has been declared dead often enough to qualify as a horror subgenre.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025
Until Dawn Until Dawn didn’t seem to impress many devotees of the 2015 video game that inspired it, but I was charmed by its Groundhog Day approach to exploring multiple subgenres.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
How does the Recording Academy deal with fragmentation and the fact that music fans are listening to more subgenres and global artists than ever?
—Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subgenre
Cite this Entry
“Subgenre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subgenre. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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