English

Alternative forms

• generick (obsolete)

Adjective

generic ‎(comparative more generic, superlative most generic)

1. Very comprehensive; pertaining or appropriate to large classes or groups as opposed to specific.

   • "...the essence is that such self-describing poets describe what is in them, but not peculiar to them, – what is generic, not what is special and individual." — Walter Bagehot (1826–1877)

2. Lacking in precision, often in an evasive fashion; vague; imprecise.
3. (of a product or drug) Not having a brand name.
4. (biology, not comparable) Of or relating to a taxonomic genus.
5. (grammar) Specifying neither masculine nor feminine; epicene.

   Words like salesperson and firefighter are generic.

6. (computing) (Of program code) Written so as to operate on any data type, the type required being passed as a parameter.
7. (geometry, of a point) Having coordinates that are algebraically independent over the base field.

Synonyms

• (comprehensive): general
• (lacking a brand): unbranded

Antonyms

• (comprehensive): specific, proprietary
• (lacking a brand): non-generic, proprietary, branded

Derived terms

• genericity
• genericness

Translations

Noun

generic ‎(plural generics)

1. A product sold under a generic name.
2. A wine that is a blend of several wines, or made from a blend of several grape varieties.
3. (grammar) A term that specifies neither male nor female.
   • 1998, Jacqueline A. Dienemann, Nursing administration: managing patient care

     […] a male-centered perspective […] has resulted in false generics in everyday life […]

Translations

Related terms

• gender
• genus