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generic

adj. · n.
US //dʒəˈnɛɹɪk// UK //dʒənˈɛɹɪk// gener·ic
  1. 1 general or broad (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    relating to a whole group or class of things rather than a specific one.

    pertaining to an entire class or group; not specific or individual in application.

    Example

    The doctor gave me some generic advice about eating more vegetables.

    Example

    The report offered only generic solutions that failed to address the unique socio-economic challenges facing this specific region.
  2. 2 not branded (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    describing a product, like medicine, that does not have a famous brand name.

    referring to consumer goods, especially pharmaceuticals, that are not protected by a trademark and are sold under their chemical or common name.

    Example

    I usually buy the generic version of aspirin because it is much cheaper.

    Example

    Once the patent expired, several manufacturers began producing generic versions of the cholesterol medication at a fraction of the original cost.

    Usage

    Often used to describe drugs that are chemically identical to brand-name versions.
    • non proprietary
    • unbranded
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  1. 3 unoriginal or plain (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    lacking any special or interesting qualities; very ordinary.

    lacking distinctive characteristics; perceived as unoriginal, derivative, or bland.

    Example

    The new apartment buildings all have a very generic look.

    Example

    Critics dismissed the film as a generic action thriller that relied heavily on tired tropes and predictable plot twists.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense often carries a slightly negative or critical tone.
  2. 4 flexible data types (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    in computer programming, code that can work with many different types of data.

    referring to a style of computer programming in which algorithms are written in terms of types to-be-specified-later.

    Example

    The developer wrote a generic function to sort any list of items.

    Example

    By using generic collections, the software remains flexible enough to handle various data structures without requiring redundant code for each type.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the context of 'generic programming' or 'generic classes'.
    • polymorphic
  3. 5 a non-branded product (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    a product that is sold without a brand name.

    a product, particularly a drug, that is chemically equivalent to a brand-name original but sold under its common name.

    Example

    The pharmacist asked if I wanted the brand name or the generic.

    Example

    The hospital policy encourages the prescription of generics to reduce overall healthcare costs for patients.

    Usage

    Usually refers to pharmaceutical drugs.
Origin

From Middle French générique, from Latin genus (“genus, kind”) + -ic; thus morphologically parallel with, and a doublet of, general.

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