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. 6. any product, as a food, drug, or cosmetic, that can be sold without a brand name. GENERIC definition: of, applicable to, or referring to all the members of a genus, class, group, or kind; not specific; general. See examples of generic used in a sentence. The meaning of GENERIC is relating to or characteristic of a whole group or class : general. How to use generic in a sentence. generic (comparative more generic, superlative most generic) Capri pants can be a generic term for any cropped slim pants. […] the essence is that such self-describing poets describe what is in them, but not peculiar to them, – what is generic, not what is special and individual. Generic drugs are allowed for sale after the patents on the original drugs expire. GENERIC meaning: 1. shared by, typical of, or relating to a whole group of similar things, rather than to any…. Learn more.generic California apartments, the kind that have white walls and white drapes and were built five years ago. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers British English pronunciation It seems that your browser is blocking this video content. Meaning of genericin English. generic. adjective. uk. Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio. /dʒəˈner.ɪk/us. Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio. /dʒəˈner.ɪk/ Add to word listAdd to word list. formal. sharedby, typicalof, or relatingto a wholegroupof similarthings, ratherthan to any particularthing. Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name drugs, even though they contain the same active ingredient and work the same way. One reason is that generic manufacturers do not have to repeat the extensive clinical trials that established the brand-name drug's safety and effectiveness.