generic

Having nothing special or original that makes it different from other things of the same kind.

• The hotel had a generic design.
• All the characters seemed generic.
• Her latest songs sound less generic than her earlier work.

Similar words: ordinary, unoriginal, bland

Opposites: distinctive, original

Common phrases: generic design, generic movie, generic plot, generic music

Describing a whole group or type of things, rather than one particular thing.

• This is a generic name for several plants.
• The report uses generic terms throughout.
• Can you give a more specific description than this generic one?

How to use it: a generic term for something (Vehicle is a generic term for cars, buses, and similar machines.)

Similar words: general, broad

Opposites: specific

Common phrases: generic term, generic name, generic description

Written so that the same computer code can work with different types of data.

• We wrote a generic function to sort the data.
• This generic method accepts several data types.
• Can the compiler handle generic procedures?

Common phrases: generic function, generic method, generic procedure, generic code

A product sold using its general name instead of a particular company's brand name.

• The pharmacy sells a cheaper generic.
• Generics often cost less than branded medicines.
• Is there a generic for this drug?

Similar words: unbranded product

Common phrases: buy a generic, cheaper generic, choose a generic