# generic

/dʒəˈnɛɹɪk/ (US) · /dʒənˈɛɹɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/generic
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. general or broad

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- The doctor gave me some generic advice about eating more vegetables.
- The report offered only generic solutions that failed to address the unique socio-economic challenges facing this specific region.

### 2. not branded

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 3. unoriginal or plain

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

lacking any special or interesting qualities; very ordinary.

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

- The new apartment buildings all have a very generic look.
- Critics dismissed the film as a generic action thriller that relied heavily on tired tropes and predictable plot twists.

Teaching tip: This sense often carries a slightly negative or critical tone.

### 4. flexible data types

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

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

### 5. a non-branded product

noun · CEFR B2

a product that is sold without a brand name.

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

- The pharmacist asked if I wanted the brand name or the generic.
- The hospital policy encourages the prescription of generics to reduce overall healthcare costs for patients.

Usage: Usually refers to pharmaceutical drugs.

## Examples

- The doctor says the generic is just as effective as the brand.
- Many patients switch to generics to save money on their monthly prescriptions without sacrificing the quality of their treatment.
- Once the patent for a blockbuster drug expires, several manufacturers typically enter the market with their own generics, leading to a significant reduction in the average retail price.

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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.