Added 9 October 2026
generic
/dʒɪˈnɛɹ.ɪk/ noun
Latin root: genus Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about generic at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Wine that does not meet the minimum qualifications and standards for use of a designation by appellation of origin (where the grapes are grown) or by varietal content; may only be labeled by proprietary (made-up) name, by general color (such as `vin rouge', `vino rosso', `rotwein', `red wine', etc.), or by general class (as `vin ordinaire', `vin de table', `vino da tavola', `tafelwein', `table wine', etc.).
- Any product that can be sold without a brand name.
adjective
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Relating to or common to or descriptive of all members of a genus.
the generic name
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(of drugs) not protected by trademark.
`Acetaminophen' is the generic form of the proprietary drug `Tylenol'
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Applicable to an entire class or group.
is there a generic Asian mind?
Origin
From Middle French générique, from Latin genus (“genus, kind”) + -ic.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)