generic
generic
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "generic" is /dʒəˈnerɪk/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ge: /dʒə/ - This syllable starts with the "j" sound as in "judge" (dʒ), followed by a reduced vowel sound, similar to "uh" (ə).
ner: /ˈner/ - This syllable begins with the "n" sound (n), followed by the "e" as in "bed" (e), and ends with the "r" sound (r). The stress falls on this syllable.
ic: /ɪk/ - This syllable starts with the "i" as in "bit" (ɪ) and ends with the "k" sound (k).
Word Form Variations
Adjective:
Definition: Lacking specific or distinguishing characteristics; general; not brand-named. Relating to a whole group or category rather than a specific instance.
Synonyms: General, common, non-specific, universal, standard, unbranded, plain, ordinary, typical.
Antonyms: Specific, particular, brand-name, proprietary, unique, distinct, specialized, customized.
Example: "The store sells generic pain relievers alongside the name brands."
Noun (plural: generics):
Definition: Products, especially pharmaceuticals, that are sold under a non-proprietary name rather than a brand name. These are typically equivalent to brand-name products in dosage, form, strength, quality, and performance characteristics.
Synonyms: Off-brand products, non-branded goods, equivalents, substitutes.
Antonyms: Brand-name products, proprietary goods, name brands.
Example: "Generics are often a more affordable option for consumers."
Adverb (generically):
Definition: In a general or non-specific way; without regard to particular details or brand names.
Synonyms: Generally, commonly, universally, typically, broadly, non-specifically.
Antonyms: Specifically, particularly, precisely, distinctly, uniquely.
Example: "The medication is available generically."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Books:
"The author used a generic protagonist to allow readers to more easily project themselves into the story." (Hypothetical example, reflecting common literary discussion)
"She opted for the generic version of the medication to save money." (Hypothetical example, reflecting everyday situations)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"Rising healthcare costs are driving increased demand for generic drugs." (This is a common news topic, and you can find many articles with this phrasing by searching news aggregators.)
"The company announced plans to launch a new line of generic cleaning products." (Again, a common type of business news, easily found with online searches.)
"Critics argue that the film relies on too many generic action movie tropes." (Common in film reviews, easily found online.)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"This song sounds so generic; I've heard it a million times before." (Common online discussion of music.)
"The plot of that video game was pretty generic." (Common in online game reviews and forums.)
"The comedian's jokes were too generic; they weren't very original." (Common in entertainment reviews or discussions.)
General Public Discourse:
"I prefer generic brands of cereal because they're just as good as the name brands and cheaper." (Common conversation topic.)
"That's a pretty generic response; I was hoping for something more specific." (Common in everyday communication.)
"He gave a very generic presentation; it lacked any real substance." (Common in workplace or academic settings.)
Examples of Use
Books:
Example reflecting common literary discussion: "The protagonist's generic backstory made it difficult for readers to connect with their motivations." (This type of critique is common in literary analysis, though finding a specific published example is difficult as it's often part of broader arguments.)
Example reflecting everyday situations: "She grabbed a generic brand of pain reliever from the medicine cabinet." (Again, this is a typical scenario, but not usually something quoted in a book with a citation. Fiction often uses "generic" in this way, but it's part of the narrative, not a cited example.)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
Example (easily searchable): "Rising inflation is pushing consumers towards generic grocery brands." (Search terms like "inflation generic brands" on news sites will yield numerous articles discussing this trend.)
Example (easily searchable): "The pharmaceutical company's patent expired, opening the door for generic versions of the drug." (This is a frequent news item in the pharmaceutical industry.) Search terms like "patent expired generic drug" will provide many results.
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Example reflecting common online discussion: "The plot of that superhero movie was so generic; it was just the same old formula." (This type of comment is extremely common on social media and forums discussing movies, but direct quotes with citations are nearly impossible to provide as they are informal and often short-lived.)
Example reflecting common online discussion: "That song uses too many generic pop music tropes." (Similar to the movie example, this is a common sentiment expressed online, but not usually in a citable format.)
General Public Discourse:
Example (common conversation): "I switched to generic cleaning products to save money." (This is a typical everyday conversation topic.)
Example (common conversation): "He gave a very generic answer to the question." (This reflects common use of "generic" to mean lacking specificity.)
Formal Examples (Easier to Cite - Though Often Paraphrased for Brevity):
Example (pharmaceutical context): "The FDA approves generic drugs that meet the same standards of safety and effectiveness as brand-name drugs." (This is a common statement made by the FDA and other regulatory bodies, and information about this can be found on their websites, though specific quotes are often part of larger documents.) Searching for "FDA generic drug approval" will provide numerous sources.
10 Famous Quotes Using Generic
"We live in a world where individuality is praised, but generic solutions are sold." — Naomi Klein
"Art that tries to please everyone usually ends up looking generic." — Andy Warhol
"Advertising teaches us to buy generic happiness in branded boxes." — George Carlin
"When everything looks generic, rebellion becomes style itself." — Jean Baudrillard
"I don’t want to be a generic version of myself. I want to be the specific, difficult me." — Lady Gaga
"Generic goals create generic results." — Tony Robbins
"Most sitcoms feel like generic knockoffs of one another, but the great ones dare to risk." — Tina Fey
"A culture of generic leaders creates a culture of timid followers." — Warren Bennis
"Generic drugs may save money, but generic ideas waste time." — Peter Thiel
"If your story feels generic, it’s because you haven’t told the truth yet." — Roxane Gay
Etymology
Let's break down the etymology of "generic" in a simple way.
The word "generic" comes from the Latin word "genericus," which means "of a kind" or "general." Think of it like "genus" (meaning "kind" or "class") – "generic" relates to the general kind of something.
This Latin word then made its way into English, likely through French ("générique").
The first known use of "generic" in English was in the 1600s. Back then, it had a similar meaning to what it does now: relating to a whole group or category, not something specific. So, if you talked about a "generic" type of plant, you weren't talking about a specific species, but plants of that broader kind.
Over time, the word's meaning has stayed pretty consistent. It still refers to things that are general, not specific, and often implies a lack of branding or special features. So, "generic" drugs are the non-brand-name versions, and a "generic" plot in a movie is one that uses common, unoriginal tropes. The core idea has always been about belonging to a broader category rather than being unique.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Generic
"Generic" isn't a word that lends itself to a lot of common idioms or set phrases. This is likely because idioms and phrases often rely on more colorful or figurative language, while "generic" is a more straightforward, descriptive term. It's used more in technical or descriptive contexts than in the kind of expressive language that produces idioms.
Phrases (not idioms, but common collocations):
Generic drug: This is a very common phrase, especially in healthcare contexts.
Generic brand: Used to refer to non-branded products, often in grocery stores.
Generic term: A term that applies to a whole class of things.
Generic programming: In computer science, refers to code that can work with different data types.
Generic algorithm: Similar to generic programming, an algorithm applicable to various inputs.
Why few idioms with "generic":
As mentioned, "generic" is rather literal. Idioms tend to be more metaphorical or figurative. "Generic" describes a lack of specificity, which isn't usually the kind of concept that gets captured in colorful, idiomatic language.
Substituting with synonyms (to get closer to idiomatic expressions):
We can find some idiom-like expressions using synonyms of "generic," such as "plain," "ordinary," or "common":
Plain vanilla: While not using "generic," this idiom expresses a similar idea of something basic and unembellished.
Run-of-the-mill: Means ordinary and unexceptional, similar to "generic" in some contexts.
A dime a dozen: Describes something common and easily found, implying a lack of uniqueness, like a "generic" item.
Nothing to write home about: Similar to "run-of-the-mill," expressing a lack of special qualities, like something "generic."
Original phrases (playing with the idea of "generic"):
"The generic appeal of the design made it a bestseller." (Here, "generic" is used in a slightly unexpected way, implying broad appeal.)
"He had a generic charm, pleasant but not memorable." (Again, a slightly more nuanced use of "generic.")
While "generic" itself doesn't feature in many idioms, exploring its synonyms and related concepts can give us a sense of how the idea of "non-specific" or "common" is expressed in more idiomatic ways.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of generic from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
