generic
UK/dʒi'nerik/US
IELTSGREB2
Definitions
adj.
Relating to a whole class or kind; not specific or branded
一般的，通用的；无品牌的
n.
A product, especially a drug, sold without a brand name
（尤指药品的）非品牌产品，仿制药
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedgener (kind, from genus) + -ic = 'of a whole kind/class.' Something generic belongs to the general type, not to a single brand — hence generic drugs (the kind, not the brand) and a generic comment (true of the whole class, lacking specifics).
Root gen still carries 140 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.generic drug仿制药
- 2.generic brand通用品牌
- 3.generic term通称
- 4.generic version通用版本
Example Sentences
- 1.
The pharmacy offered a cheaper generic version of the drug.
- 2.
His feedback was too generic to be useful.
Easily Confused
generic vs general — general = broad, overall (a general idea); generic = belonging to a whole class with no specific identity, often 'unbranded' or 'lacking distinctiveness' (a generic logo, generic medicine). Generic can sound mildly negative; general is neutral.