genre

[zhahn-ruh, zhahn-r^uh]

noun

plural

genres 

1. a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique, or the like.

   the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music.

2. Fine Arts.

   1. paintings in which scenes of everyday life form the subject matter.

   2. a realistic style of painting using such subject matter.

3. genus; kind; sort; style.

adjective

1. Fine Arts.,  of or relating to genre.

2. of or relating to a distinctive literary type.

genre

/ ˈʒɑːnrə /

noun

1. 1. kind, category, or sort, esp of literary or artistic work

   2. ( as modifier )

      genre fiction

2. a category of painting in which domestic scenes or incidents from everyday life are depicted

genre

1. The kind or type of a work of art, from the French, meaning “kind” or “genus.” Literary genres include the novel and the sonnet. Musical genres include the concerto and the symphony. Film genres include Westerns and horror movies.

Word History and Origins

Origin of genre¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from French: “kind, sort”; gender ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of genre¹

C19: from French, from Old French gendre; see _gender

Example Sentences

He said the majority of his projects may sound similar to people who do not listen to that style of music, but added that he also explores different genres.

Read more on BBC

At this time, grime was still a young and developing genre of music that was emerging out of the electronic dance scene.

Read more on BBC

You’ll know the music genre, venue style, seating configuration, and the availability of alcohol and food.

Read more on Salon

Morgan spent the rest of her career with the genre.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Prior to the appearance of “Hitchcock/Truffaut” in 1966, there was no literary genre for celebrating, analyzing or documenting the work of a filmmaker or the making of a film.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• brand 
• category 
• character 
• fashion 
• kind 
• style