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genetic

/dʒəˈnet.ɪk/
IELTSAcademic
adjective

Genetic means related to genes, heredity, or the DNA passed from parents to children. It can also mean caused by genes.

  • Eye colour can be genetic.
  • The disease has a genetic cause.
  • They studied genetic changes in the family.

Adinary Nuance

Genetic is more specific than hereditary. Use genetic when you mean genes, DNA, or biology. Use hereditary when something is passed in a family, even if you are not focusing on genes. Inherited is broader and more everyday; genetic sounds more scientific.

In other languages

Vietnamese
di truyền
Spanish
genético
Chinese
遗传的
Japanese
遺伝的な
Korean
유전의

Etymology

Genetic comes from French génétique and Greek genetikos, from genos meaning 'birth' or 'origin'. It entered English in the 19th century, first in science.

Common phrases

genetic testinggenetic disordergenetic codegenetic material

Synonyms

hereditary (opens in new tab)inherited (opens in new tab)inborn (opens in new tab)

Related words

gene (opens in new tab)dna (opens in new tab)inheritance (opens in new tab)biology (opens in new tab)

Frequently asked questions

Is genetic a scientific word?
Yes. It is common in science, medicine, and formal writing.
What is the difference between genetic and hereditary?
Genetic focuses on genes and DNA. Hereditary focuses on things passed through a family.
Can I say genetic problem?
Yes, but genetic disorder or genetic condition is more natural.