generic

[juh-ner-ik]

adjective Also ge·ner·i·cal.

of, applicable to, or referring to all the members of a genus, class, group, or kind; general.

of, relating to, or noting a genus, especially in biology.

(of a word) applicable or referring to both men and women: a generic pronoun.

not protected by trademark registration: “Cola” and “shuttle” are generic terms.

noun

a generic term.

any product, as a type of food, drug, or cosmetic commonly marketed under a brand name, that is sold in a package without a brand.

a wine made from two or more varieties of grapes, with no one grape constituting more than half the product (distinguished from varietal).

Origin of generic

1670–80; < Latin gener- (see gender¹) + -ic

Related formsge·ner·i·cal·ly, adverbge·ner·i·cal·ness, nounnon·ge·ner·ic, adjectivenon·ge·ner·i·cal, adjectivenon·ge·ner·i·cal·ly, adverbpseu·do·ge·ner·ic, adjectivepseu·do·ge·ner·i·cal, adjectivepseu·do·ge·ner·i·cal·ly, adverbsu·per·ge·ner·ic, adjectivesu·per·ge·ner·i·cal·ly, adverbun·ge·ner·ic, adjectiveun·ge·ner·i·cal, adjectiveun·ge·ner·i·cal·ly, adverb

Synonyms for generic

4. general, nonproprietary, unrestricted.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for generically

Contemporary Examples of generically

Their first single, “A World Like This,” is generically happy and upbeat, but the music video is bizarre.
MS MR, Backstreet Boys & More Best Music Videos of the Week (VIDEO)
Victoria Kezra
July 21, 2013

Historical Examples of generically

But while fiction is specifically the most transient of forms, generically it is the most permanent.
Days Off
Henry Van Dyke
These results are embodied in what may be called, generically, tradition.
Introduction to the Science of Sociology
Robert E. Park
They were generically spoken of at times as the criminal classes.
John Marvel, Assistant
Thomas Nelson Page
They talked pleasantly of the enemy whom they spoke of generically as "Fritz."
The Soul of Susan Yellam
Horace Annesley Vachell
One of the great products of Massachusetts has been what is generically known as "footwear."
'Tis Sixty Years Since
Charles Francis Adams

British Dictionary definitions for generically

generic

generical

adjective

applicable or referring to a whole class or group; general

biology of, relating to, or belonging to a genusthe generic name

denoting the nonproprietary name of a drug, food product, etc

noun

a drug, food product, etc that does not have a trademark

Derived Formsgenerically, adverb

Word Origin for generic

C17: from French; see genus

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for generically

generic

adj.

1670s, "belonging to a large group of objects," formed in English from Latin gener-, stem of genus "kind" (see genus) + -ic. Sense of "not special, not brand-name; in plain, cheap packaging," of groceries, etc., is from 1977.

generically in Medicine

generic

[jə-nĕr′ĭk]

adj.

Of or relating to a genus.

Relating to or descriptive of an entire group or class; general.

Of or relating to a drug sold under or identified by its official nonproprietary or chemical name.

n.

A drug sold under its generic name.