generic

1 of 2

adjective

ge·​ner·​ic jə-ˈner-ik How to pronounce generic (audio)
-ˈne-rik
1
a
: relating to or characteristic of a whole group or class : general
"Romantic comedy" is the generic term for such films.
b
: not being or having a particular brand name
generic drugs
c
: having no particularly distinctive quality or application
generic restaurants
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
generically adverb
genericness noun

generic

2 of 2

noun

: a product (such as a drug) that does not have a brand name

Examples of generic in a Sentence

Adjective “Flu” is sometimes used as a generic term for any illness caused by a virus. a love of big things—big cars, big meals—seems to be a generic trait of the American people Noun You can substitute generics for brand-name drugs on this health plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The flyer, financed by the New San Diego committee, included a generic comment attributed to DeMaio that did not mention or endorse Glasson. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 Spruce, wry, soigné, specific Mr. V., pleasantly redolent of eau de cologne, had been replaced by an exhausted, old, generic guy in a shapeless hospital garment who smelled off. Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Prices for unbranded generic drugs, which account for 90% of prescription volume in the U.S., are about 67% of the average cost in the comparison nations, according to a Rand news release about the study. Chris Mueller, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 Its patents also block other companies from making a cheaper generic version. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 Hollywood has surmised that audiences only want to go to the movies for films that feel less like generic screenings and more like cultural happenings. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 Fortune has not verified the authenticity of the files; neither has ESPN nor the AP, which previously reported on the trove of messages and pictures sent from a generic email account. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024 So, instead of a generic point system, members might be offered personalized challenges, rewards tailored to their preferences, or unique experiences curated just for them. Bernard Marr, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 That includes prescriptions for generic Zoloft, the most common antidepressant medication, which rose 17% over the same period. USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
The authorized generic, fluticasone, would be the same product, but without the branding and history of price increases that would leave the medicine vulnerable to large rebates to Medicaid. Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024 Many of the affected drugs are generics—medications whose patent and exclusivity have expired, meaning any company can legally manufacture them. Shi En Kim, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2023 Bryce Cohen has asthma and wasn't able to make an easy switch to the new generic of the medicine Flovent, his mother said. Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024 The Trump administration let insurers use the tactic when cheaper generics were not available. John Wilkerson, STAT, 17 Jan. 2024 While the duration of action may vary slightly between different generics, most tend to last around 4-6 hours. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023 Some manufacturers of generics have gone out of business or shifted production to higher-value drugs. Jen Christensen, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 If Astellas and Pfizer refuse to lower the price, the generics would soon dominate the biggest market segment for the prostate cancer drug, and with the royalty-free license, those two firms’ compensation would be zero. James Love, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2024 Bristol Myers Squibb will acquire Mirati Therapeutics in a transaction that values the oncology developer at up to $5.8 billion, the latest example of a drugmaker targeting deals to replenish revenue as top-selling products face competition from generics. Stuart Condie, WSJ, 8 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'generic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French générique, from Latin gener-, genus birth, kind, class

Noun

derivative of generic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of generic was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near generic

Cite this Entry

“Generic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

generic

adjective
ge·​ner·​ic
jə-ˈner-ik
1
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a whole group or class : general
b
: not protected by a trademark registration
generic drugs
2
: of, relating to, or having the rank of a biological genus
generically
-ner-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

generic

1 of 2 adjective
ge·​ner·​ic jə-ˈner-ik How to pronounce generic (audio)
1
: not protected by trademark registration : nonproprietary
nylon and aspirin are generic names
used especially in trademark law
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
generically adverb

generic

2 of 2 noun
: a generic drug
usually used in plural

Legal Definition

generic

adjective
ge·​ner·​ic jə-ˈner-ik How to pronounce generic (audio)
1
: common or descriptive and not entitled to trademark protection : nonproprietary
the generic name of a drug
2
: having a nonproprietary name
generic drugs

More from Merriam-Webster on generic

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