-gen

¹

Also -gene

1. a combining form meaning “that which produces,” used in the formation of compound words.

   endogen; hydrogen.

gen.

²

abbreviation

1. gender.

2. general.

3. genitive.

4. genus.

Gen.

³

abbreviation

1. Military.,  General.

2. Bible.,  Genesis.

3. Geneva.

-gen

¹

suffix

1. producing or that which produces

   hydrogen

2. something produced

   carcinogen

Gen.

²

abbreviation

1. General

2. Bible Genesis

gen

³

/ dʒɛn /

noun

1. informal,  information See also gen up

   give me the gen on your latest project

Word History and Origins

Origin of -gen¹

< French -gène ≪ Greek -genēs born, produced; akin to Latin genus, kin

Word History and Origins

Origin of -gen¹

via French -gène, from Greek -genēs born

Origin of -gen²

C20: from gen ( eral information )

Example Sentences

Gen. Pam Bondi struck a defiant tone Tuesday during a Senate hearing where she dodged a series of questions about brewing scandals that have dogged her agency.

From Los Angeles Times

If you’re a Gen Xer who immersed yourself in punk rock or listened to college radio, The Waterboys will be a familiar name, if they don’t make your heart sing with fond nostalgia.

From Salon

He said the nation needed a premier "capable of restoring order and the people's trust" before naming Gen Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo to the post.

From BBC

"As long as Rajoelina remains in power we will continue the struggle," Gen Z Mada said in a statement.

From BBC

In a declaration at the presidential palace late on Monday, Rajoelina announced the appointment of Gen Zafisambo, saying the prime minister needed to be "someone clean" and "ready to save Madagascar".

From BBC

When To Use

What does -gen mean?

The combining form -gen is used like a suffix meaning “that which produces.” It is often used in scientific and technical terms, especially in chemistry and biology.The form -gen comes from Greek -genēs, meaning “born” or “produced.” The Latin translation and cognate of -genēs is nātus, meaning “born,” which is the source of natal, native, and nature. Find out how these terms derive from nātus at our entry for each word.What are variants of -gen?While the form -gen doesn't have any variants, it is related to the combining forms -genic, -geny, and -genous, as in heterogenic, heterogeny, and heterogenous. The form -gen is also closely related to the combining forms -genesis and -genetic as in carcinogenesis and autogenetic. Read our Words That Use articles for -genic, -geny, -genous, -genesis, and -genetic to learn more.