generic

/dʒəˈnɛrɪk/

/dʒɛˈnærɪk/

Other forms: generics

Generic refers to the members of a whole class of things — like "tissue," a generic word for any soft, thin piece of paper that's good for wiping runny noses.

A generic product, whether it's a tire or donut or drug, is typical of all other products like it. There's nothing distinctive or unique about it. A generic fan looks and acts just like dozens of other fans — it doesn't spin backwards or send out sparks. Generic aspirin doesn't have a trademark, like Bayer or St. Joseph: it's just plain aspirin.

Definitions of generic

1. adjective

   relating to or applicable to an entire class or group
   synonyms:

   general

   applying to all or most members of a category or group
2. adjective

   relating to or common to or descriptive of all members of a genus
   “the generic name”
3. adjective

   having no special or distinctive characteristics; unoriginal
   synonyms:

   unoriginal

   not original; not being or productive of something fresh and unusual
4. adjective

   (of drugs) not protected by trademark
   “`Acetaminophen' is the generic form of the proprietary drug `Tylenol'”

   synonyms:

   nonproprietary

   not protected by trademark or patent or copyright
5. noun

   any product that can be sold without a brand name
   types:

   generic drug

   when the patent protection for a brand-name drug expires generic versions of the drug can be offered for sale if the FDA agrees

   type of:

   merchandise, product, ware

   commodities offered for sale
6. noun

   a wine that is a blend of several varieties of grapes with no one grape predominating; a wine that does not carry the name of any specific grape
   synonyms: generic wine

   antonyms:

   varietal

   a wine made principally from one grape and carrying the name of that grape

   type of:

   vino, wine

   fermented juice (of grapes especially)