Word
generic
Meanings
General and not specific, distinctive, or detailed.
Not branded; sold under a common name rather than a specific company name.
Definition
Generic describes something broad and not tied to a particular brand, person, or specific type.
Something generic is general and not distinctive or specialized. It often refers to products that are not sold under a well-known brand name, or to descriptions and language that lack specific detail. People may use it when something feels standard, predictable, or interchangeable.
Examples
- I found the report too generic to guide any real decisions, so I added concrete data and examples.
- You gave a generic answer in the interview, but you could stand out by mentioning a specific project.
- She rejected the generic slogan because it didn’t capture the team’s distinctive approach.
- They switched to a generic version at the pharmacy and didn’t notice any difference in daily use.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use generic to mean “common” or “popular,” but it usually means “not specific” or “not branded.”
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.