genetic
genetic
Pronunciation
Phonetic Spelling
IPA: /dʒəˈnɛtɪk/
Syllable Breakdown
ge- /dʒə/: The sound is similar to the 'j' in "jump" followed by a schwa sound (like the 'a' in "about").
-net- /ˈnɛt/: The sound is the 'n' in "net" followed by the short 'e' sound (as in "bed") and then the 't' sound. This is the stressed syllable.
-ic /ɪk/: The sound is the short 'i' sound (as in "sit") followed by the 'k' sound.
Word Form Variations
Noun: genetics (used in the singular sense to refer to the field of study), a genetic (less common, but could refer to an individual's genetic makeup)
Adjective: genetic
Adverb: genetically
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Pertaining to genes or the field of genetics. Describing a characteristic, disease, or trait that is inherited from one's parents.
Synonyms: hereditary, inherited, congenital, inborn, innate
Antonyms: acquired, environmental, learned, nonhereditary
Definition 2: Relating to the origin or development of something, especially in the context of evolution or biology.
Synonyms: ancestral, developmental, evolutionary
Antonyms: superficial, recent, acquired
Adverb
genetically
Definition: In a way that relates to genes or heredity.
Example: "The two species are genetically similar."
Synonyms: hereditarily, innately, inherently
Antonyms: environmentally, externally
Noun
genetics (used as a singular noun)
Definition: The scientific study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics in living organisms.
Synonyms: heredity, inheritance, eugenics (in a specific, and often controversial, context)
Antonyms: (There are no direct antonyms for the field of study itself.)
Examples of Use
Books
In "The Genetic Book of the Dead: A Darwinian Reverie," biologist Richard Dawkins explores the idea that an organism's DNA can be read as a kind of "book" detailing the history of its evolution (2024).
The novel Jurassic Park (1990) by Michael Crichton revolves around the fictional concept of a theme park populated by dinosaurs created through genetic engineering.
Newspapers and Online Publications
A news article from July 2025 discusses how a skeleton found in a pot is the first ancient Egyptian to undergo whole genome analysis, with scientists hoping to learn more about the individual's genetic ancestry.
A scientific journal article from 2024 examines the "genetic bridge between medicine and neurodiversity for autism," exploring the complex relationship between an individual's genetic makeup and the disorder.
A May 2025 news story from The Guardian reported on a new blood test developed to speed up the diagnosis of rare diseases in babies, which often have a genetic basis.
Entertainment
In the science-fiction film Gattaca (1997), society is divided into "valid" and "invalid" people based on their genetic potential.
The video game Stellaris includes a "Genetic Ascension" path, where players can use genetic engineering to modify their species and gain new traits.
A study published in a 2017 issue of PLOS ONE found that individual differences in online media use, such as social networking and gaming, could have a strong genetic influence.
Public Discourse
The public debate around genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is often focused on concerns about the safety and long-term effects of genetic modifications to food crops.
The development of "genetic medicine" has spurred public discussions about the ethical and social implications of gene therapy and other forms of genetic technology.
In public conversations about personal health, people frequently refer to a family history of certain diseases as a "genetic predisposition" or "genetic risk."
10 Famous Quotes Using Genetic
“With genetic engineering, we will be able to increase the complexity of our DNA, and improve the human race.” — Stephen Hawking
“The advance of genetic engineering makes it quite conceivable that we will begin to design our own evolutionary progress.” — Isaac Asimov
“Your genetics load the gun. Your lifestyle pulls the trigger.” — Mehmet Oz
“Genetic engineering has never been about saving the world, it's about controlling the world.” — Vandana Shiva
“The cloning of humans is on most of the lists of things to worry about from Science, along with behavior control, genetic engineering, transplanted heads, computer poetry and the unrestrained growth of plastic flowers.” — Lewis Thomas
“I'm fascinated by the idea that genetics is digital.” — Richard Dawkins
“The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born—that there is a genetic factor to leadership.” — Warren Bennis
“My parents are Jamaican immigrants and both have a multiracial background. They're Jamaican but my genetic makeup is West African, European, Asian.” — Jaboukie Young-White
“Genetics is a journey of discovery, from understanding our ancestry to curing disease.” — Robert Waterston
“I do not believe we can blame genetics for adultery, homosexuality, dishonesty and other character flaws.” — Jerry Falwell
Etymology
The word "genetic" comes from the word "genetics," which was coined in the early 20th century by a British biologist named William Bateson. He created it from the Greek word genesis, which means "origin," "birth," or "creation."
Bateson chose this name for the new field of science that studied heredity and how traits are passed from one generation to the next. He felt that the term "genetics" perfectly captured the idea of studying the very "origin" or "genesis" of an organism's traits.
The first known use of "genetics" as the name for the scientific field was in 1905, and the adjective "genetic" quickly followed, referring to anything related to this new area of study. Before this time, people talked about heredity and inheritance, but they didn't have a single word for the science behind it. Bateson's new word gave a name to a whole new way of thinking about life and how we inherit our characteristics.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Genetic
Genetic engineering: The deliberate modification of an organism's characteristics by manipulating its genetic material.
Genetic predisposition: An increased likelihood of developing a particular disease or condition due to one's genetic makeup.
Genetic marker: A gene or DNA sequence with a known location on a chromosome that can be used to identify individuals or species.
Genetic drift: The change in the frequency of a gene variant in a population due to random sampling of organisms.
Genetic blueprint: A metaphor for an organism's complete set of genes, containing all the information needed to build and maintain it.
Genetic lottery: A colloquial term referring to the random and unpredictable nature of which traits or genes one inherits.
Genetic baggage: A phrase referring to undesirable or harmful genes passed down through a family line.
Genetic memory: A controversial or theoretical concept suggesting that memories or knowledge can be inherited through genes.
A genetic dead end: A situation in which a species or lineage is unable to reproduce, leading to its extinction.
The genetic code: The set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material is translated into proteins.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of genetic from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
