# genetic

/dʒəˈnɛtɪk/ (US) · /dʒɛnˈɛtɪk/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. related to genes

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to genes or the study of how traits are passed from parents to children.

For teachers: relating to genetics or the biological mechanisms of heredity.

- Scientists are doing genetic research to understand why some people have blue eyes.
- The researchers identified a specific genetic marker that appears to correlate with a higher resistance to certain types of viral infections.

### 2. caused by genes

adjective · CEFR B2

describes a quality or disease that you are born with because of your parents' genes.

For teachers: determined or caused by genes; inherited rather than acquired through environmental factors.

- Color blindness is a genetic condition that is more common in men.
- The patient's family history suggested a genetic predisposition to heart disease, prompting the doctor to recommend earlier screening.

### 3. language families

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

describes languages that come from the same original language.

For teachers: relating to the historical relationship between languages that share a common ancestor.

- English and German have a genetic relationship because they both come from an older language.
- The genetic classification of these indigenous languages remains a subject of intense debate among historical linguists due to the lack of written records.

### 4. origin or development

adjective · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

relating to the beginning or the way something started to develop.

For teachers: relating to the origin, creation, or historical development of something.

- The book explains the genetic history of the city from its first small buildings.
- The essay provides a genetic account of the movement, tracing its philosophical roots back to the early eighteenth century.

## Examples

- Eye color is a genetic trait passed down from parents.
- Scientists are studying the genetic code of the plant to understand why it survives in such dry soil.
- While environmental factors certainly influence health, many chronic conditions have a strong genetic component that predisposes certain individuals to illness regardless of their lifestyle choices.

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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.