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generic

juh-NER-ik /dʒəˈnɛrɪk/

adjectivenounB2SATTOEFL

general

Adjective: (of a product) not having a brand name; sold without a trademark. Noun: a product sold without a brand name.

Implies a lack of distinctiveness or a standard, unbranded version. Can sometimes carry a connotation of being lower quality, though this isn't always true.

The story behind the word. The word 'generic' comes from the Latin 'genus,' meaning 'race, kind, sort.' It entered English through the French 'générique,' meaning 'of a genus.' So, something 'generic' belongs to a general class or kind, rather than being specific or unique. This perfectly describes products sold without a specific brand name, belonging to the general category of that product.

Word relationships

unbranded: Directly means without a brand.
store-brand: Specific to products sold under a retailer's own name, which are a type of generic.
common: Broader, refers to something widespread or ordinary.

branded: Having a specific brand name.
proprietary: Owned and controlled by a private individual or company.
distinctive: Having a unique quality or characteristic.

Commonly confused with

basic: 'Basic' implies fundamental or simple, while 'generic' specifically refers to the absence of a brand name or unique characteristics.

Word family

genus (noun): a class or group of something
generally (adverb): in most cases; usually

Collocations

generic brand
generic drug
generic product
generic term
generic version

Example sentences

"Many shoppers opt for generic brands of medications and pantry staples to save money." Discussing supermarket products.
"The phone case was a generic design, offering basic protection without any unique features or branding." In a review of a new gadget.

Memory hook

Think of 'general' – a 'generic' product is just a general type, not a specific brand. General Product

When not to use

Don't use it to describe something that is unique or highly specialized. It's specifically about a lack of brand identity or a general category.

Fun facts

In pharmaceuticals, a 'generic drug' is a medication created to be the same as an already marketed brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, and performance characteristics.
The rise of generic products in supermarkets began in the 1970s as a way to offer consumers lower-cost alternatives.

Related words

knockoff, counterfeit

Explore more words

nondescript, authentic, off-the-rack, dilution, proprietary, wholesale