Word
generate
Phoneticsgen·er·ate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒɛnɝˌeɪt/
UK/dʒˈɛnəɹˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to produce or create
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to cause something to exist, like an idea, a feeling, or a result.
v. to bring into existence or give rise to a state, emotion, or outcome.
“The new marketing campaign helped generate a lot of interest in the product.”
“The proposed policy changes are expected to generate significant debate among committee members regarding long-term fiscal responsibility.”
Usage
Often used with abstract nouns like 'interest', 'excitement', 'revenue', or 'debate'.
02to produce energy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Science Technical
v. to produce a form of energy, such as electricity or heat.
v. to produce energy or a substance through a physical or chemical process.
“Wind turbines generate electricity by using the power of the wind.”
“The nuclear reactor generates enough thermal energy to power the entire coastal region during peak winter months.”
Antonyms
03to create using a computer
B2 · Upper Intermediate Computing Technical
v. to use a computer program to create something automatically.
v. to create data, images, or code through the application of an algorithm or program.
“The website can generate a random password for your new account.”
“The software uses a complex algorithm to generate realistic terrain for the video game environment.”
04to form a geometric figure
C2 · Proficiency Mathematics Technical · Formal
v. to form a shape by moving a line or a curve in space.
v. to trace or form a geometric figure through the motion of a point, line, or surface.
“A cylinder is generated when you rotate a rectangle around one of its sides.”
“Rotating a circle around an external axis generates a torus, a surface frequently studied in topology.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “generate” in context.
Verb
01. generate discussion
“The professor's controversial lecture was designed to generate discussion among the students.”
verb + noun
02. generate hypothesis
“Scientists use initial observations to generate a hypothesis before starting the experiment.”
verb + noun
03. generate interest
“The marketing team is working hard to generate interest in the new product line.”
verb + noun
04. generate new
05. generate enough
06. generate significant
07. generating electricity
08. generate by
09. generate information
10. generate additional
11. generate energy
12. generated from different
Real-World Examples
“Today, the outsourcing industry employs roughly 1.9 million people, and generates $40bn (£30.1bn) in revenues every year, accounting for about 10% of the Philippines' economy.” “Sticking to cold foods such as salads - especially during the hottest times of the day - can stop unnecessary heat being generated.” “The study will examine whether the vaccine is safe and can generate a strong immune response.” “The issue is that while generating renewable electricity can be cheap, the system needed to deliver it is not.” Etymology
From Latin generō (“beget, procreate, produce”) + -ate (verb-forming suffix), from genus (“a kind, race, family”, gener- in compounds) + -ō; see genus. Compare Italian generare, French générer (and its older (and now obsolete) English cognate from Middle French, gender (“engender, breed, copulate”)).
Learned borrowing from Latin generātus, perfect passive participle of generō (“beget, procreate, produce”). See Etymology 1 and -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
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