# gen

/ˈdʒɛn/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gen
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. information

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

useful information or facts about a specific subject.

For teachers: information or intelligence regarding a specific topic. This sense is an informal clipping of 'general information'.

- I need to get the latest gen on the new project before the meeting starts.
- The journalist spent weeks trying to get the full gen on the company's offshore accounts before publishing the exposé.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article 'the'.

### 2. generation

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a group of people born around the same time, like Gen Z.

For teachers: a specific generation of people, typically used in compounds like 'Gen X' or 'Gen Z'.

- Gen Z is often praised for being very comfortable with new technology.
- Sociologists often compare the spending habits of Gen X with those of their millennial counterparts to identify shifting economic priorities.

### 3. product version

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Technical

a specific version or model of a product in a series.

For teachers: a specific iteration or version of a technological product, often used in compounds.

- The next-gen console will have much better graphics than the current one.
- The latest first-gen prototypes were plagued by battery issues that were only resolved in the subsequent production run.

### 4. to generate

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

to create something using a computer program.

For teachers: to produce or create something, especially through an automated or algorithmic process.

- The software can gen a report in just a few seconds.
- The script was designed to gen unique terrain features for the game world every time a new session started.

### 5. genuinely

adverb · CEFR C2 · Slang

really or truly; used to show you are being honest.

For teachers: an adverbial clipping of 'genuinely', used to emphasize the truth or sincerity of a statement.

- That was gen the best meal I have ever had.
- I was gen surprised by the outcome of the election, as the polls had suggested a completely different result.

Teaching tip: This usage is highly informal and mostly found in internet slang or text messaging among younger speakers.

## Examples

- Can you give me the gen on the new project?
- I need to get the full gen from the manager before I can commit to the schedule.
- While the official press release was vague, the local staff provided the real gen regarding why the factory was actually closing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.