ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gen

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈdʒɛn// gen Archaic Informal Slang

n. the facts or information about a specific topic. You use this when you want the real story or the latest news on something.

n. reliable information or the actual facts regarding a situation. Informal in register; frequently used in British English to denote the 'inside' story or specific details.


SIMPLE

Can you give me the gen on the new project?

CONTEXTUAL

I need to get the full gen from the manager before I can commit to the schedule.

COMPLEX

While the official press release was vague, the local staff provided the real gen regarding why the factory was actually closing.

Etymology 1

Clipping of general.

Etymology 2

Shortened from generate and generator.

Etymology 3

Shortened from genetic engineering

Etymology 4

Etymology unknown. Possibilities include: * Clipping of argent * Clipping of generalise, from back slang for English shilling.

Etymology 5

Clipping of generation.

Usage

Typically used with the definite article 'the' and often followed by the preposition 'on'.

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