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

Examples of subgenre in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, the collaboration between Pemberton and May also reaches the Rock Digital Song Sales tally, which is slightly more all-encompassing, as all subgenres of rock are eligible for the rundown. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

The self-aware series pokes fun at the teenage superhero subgenre, toying with the way superpowers interfere with daily life. — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026

There’s also, what subgenres of horror are next? — Alison Herman, Variety, 17 June 2026

The married duo of restaurateur Tracy Vaught and chef Hugo Ortega has made an indelible mark on Space City’s dining scene, populating Houston with Mexican restaurants that each tackle different subgenres of the cuisine. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subgenre

• genre