wine that does not meet the minimum qualifications and standards for use of a designation by appellation of origin (where the grapes are grown) or by varietal content; may only be labeled by proprietary (made-up) name, by general color (such as `vin rouge', `vino rosso', `rotwein', `red wine', etc.), or by general class (as `vin ordinaire', `vin de table', `vino da tavola', `tafelwein', `table wine', etc.)
"They chose a generic bottle of red wine from the local grocery store because they didn't want to pay extra for a specific region or grape variety."
any product that can be sold without a brand name
"We decided to switch from the expensive name-brand cereal to a cheaper generic option at the grocery store."
A product sold under a generic name.
"The pharmacist switched my prescription to a cheaper generic version of the medication."
In plain English: A generic is a basic version of something that lacks special features or branding.
"The patient filled out a form to choose a generic brand of medicine instead of the name one."
Usage: As a noun, "generic" refers to an unbranded product that contains the same ingredients as a well-known brand but costs less. Use this term when discussing store-brand medications or goods that are identical in substance to their name-brand counterparts.
(of drugs) not protected by trademark
"`Acetaminophen' is the generic form of the proprietary drug `Tylenol'"
very comprehensive; pertaining or appropriate to large classes or groups (genera) as opposed to specific instances.
"The study of generic biology helps us understand patterns that apply to entire plant families rather than just individual species."
In plain English: Generic means something that is ordinary and not special or unique.
"The store sells a generic brand of medicine that costs much less than the name brand."
Usage: Use generic to describe something that applies broadly to a whole category rather than a specific individual or unique case. Avoid using it when you mean ordinary or common, as those words carry different connotations regarding quality and value.
The word generic comes from the Middle French générique, which was formed from the Latin genus meaning "kind." It is related to the English word general.