Generic and Specific

Generic

Generic adjective - Belonging or relating to the whole.

Specific is an antonym for generic in topics: collective, common.

Nearby Words: general, generally, generalised

Specific

Specific adjective - Of a particular or exact sort.
Usage example: we need a specific type of pen to sign the diplomas

Generic is an antonym for specific.

Both words in one sentence

  • Western Zodiac Final Fantasy Tactics gave every character, generic and specific alike, a Zodiac sign.
  • Youkai tended to have Western names, and several were given a generic species of 'youkai' instead of something specific.
  • Fantastic Drug If allowed to dissolve in the mouth, some specific formulas of generic Adderall and/or Ritalin have a flavor very similar to strawberries.
Cite this Source
Specific and Generic. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/generic/specific
Generic & Specific. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/generic/specific>.
Specific or Generic. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/generic/specific.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "generic" and "specific" have occurred on timeline