generic
/dʒəˈnɛr.ɪk/- 1.
Relating to a whole group or class of things, not to one specific item or person. Something generic applies broadly and has no special or unique features.
- The word 'vehicle' is a generic term for cars, trucks, and buses.
- She gave a generic answer that didn't really address the question.
- The essay used generic language that could fit any topic.
- 2.
Describing a product, especially a medicine, that is sold without a brand name. Generic products usually cost less than branded ones but contain the same ingredients.
- The pharmacy stocks a generic version of the antibiotic.
- Generic medicines are just as effective as branded drugs.
- She saved money by buying generic painkillers at the store.
A product, especially a medicine or food item, sold without a brand name. Usually used in the plural form.
- Doctors often recommend generics to reduce the patient's costs.
- The supermarket's generics sell faster than premium brands.
Adinary Nuance
The closest neighbors of "generic" are general, universal, and common, but they each carry different weight. "General" is purely neutral — "a general topic" simply means broad, not specific. "Generic" carries a subtle edge: it hints that something lacks personality, originality, or distinction — a "generic response" sounds lazy or impersonal. "Universal" is the strongest of the three: it means applying to everyone without exception. In academic writing (including IELTS essays), "general" is the safer, more neutral choice for broad statements, while "generic" is most precise when describing terminology, categories, or unbranded products. In everyday spoken English, "generic" has also taken on a mild informal sense of "boring" or "cookie-cutter" — calling someone's taste "generic" implies it is unremarkable or predictable.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Chung chung / không thương hiệu
- Spanish
- Genérico
- Chinese
- 通用的
- Japanese
- 一般的な
- Korean
- 일반적인
Etymology
From Latin "genericus" (of a kind or class), derived from "genus" (kind, race, stock). It entered English in the late 17th century. The commercial sense — an unbranded product — developed in the 20th century, especially in pharmacy and retail.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'generic' and 'general'?
- 'General' is neutral — it simply means broad or not specific, and it works in almost any context. 'Generic' implies something lacks distinctiveness or is interchangeable with many others. For IELTS essays, 'general' is the safer academic choice; use 'generic' when you mean something belongs to a broad class or lacks a brand identity.
- Is 'generic' positive or negative in tone?
- It depends on the context. In pharmacy and retail, 'generic' is neutral and simply means unbranded. In everyday conversation, calling something 'generic' — a design, a café, a person's style — can feel mildly critical, suggesting it is boring, unoriginal, or unremarkable.
- Can 'generic' be used as a noun?
- Yes, especially in medical and retail contexts. A 'generic' (noun) is a product sold without a brand name — for example, 'The doctor prescribed a generic instead of the branded version.' This noun use is common in business and healthcare writing.
- Is 'generic' appropriate for IELTS academic writing?
- Yes, but use it carefully. Phrases like 'generic term' and 'generic category' are natural in academic writing. However, for broad statements in Task 2 essays, 'general' is usually more precise and idiomatic than 'generic.'