ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik 
-ˈne-rik
1
a
: relating to or characteristic of a whole group or class : general
"Romantic comedy" is the generic term for such films.
b
: not being or having a particular brand name
generic drugs
c
: having no particularly distinctive quality or application
generic restaurants
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
genericness
noun
: a product (such as a drug) that does not have a brand name
Synonyms
Examples of generic in a Sentence
Adjective
“Flu” is sometimes used as a generic term for any illness caused by a virus.
a love of big things—big cars, big meals—seems to be a generic trait of the American people
Noun
You can substitute generics for brand-name drugs on this health plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Asia, 26 June 2024
And maybe that same startup lets AI generate a generic stock image for its blog, which costs a stock photographer a paycheck.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2024
Cecilia Garzella, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024
The trade deals for all 15 countries in my study included linkage and exclusivity provisions, but the current data do not show discernable shifts away from generics in volume or value in these nations, even relative to countries without U.S. trade deals or data exclusivity rules.
—Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2016
See all Example Sentences for generic 
Adjective
There are at least 15 generic versions of Ozempic and Wegovy in development by Chinese companies, Reuters reported in early June.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Asia, 26 June 2024
And maybe that same startup lets AI generate a generic stock image for its blog, which costs a stock photographer a paycheck.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2024
Noun
Expansive mental health drug market Mental health drug use has grown over the past two decades – partly due to the introduction of lower-cost generics, according to Arthur Wong, a managing director focused on healthcare at rating agency S&P Global Ratings.
—Cecilia Garzella, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024
The trade deals for all 15 countries in my study included linkage and exclusivity provisions, but the current data do not show discernable shifts away from generics in volume or value in these nations, even relative to countries without U.S. trade deals or data exclusivity rules.
—Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2016
See all Example Sentences for generic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'generic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near generic
Cite this Entry
“Generic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generic. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
generic
1 of 2 adjective
ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik
1
: not protected by trademark registration : nonproprietary
nylon and aspirin are generic names
—used especially in trademark law
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
generic
2 of 2 noun
: a generic drug
—usually used in plural
Legal Definition
generic
adjective
ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik
1
: common or descriptive and not entitled to trademark protection : nonproprietary
the generic name of a drug
2
: having a nonproprietary name
generic drugs
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