Generic vs. Specific: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on February 26, 2024
Generic refers to a general class or group, while specific pertains to a particular item or detail within that group.
Key Differences
Generic is a term used to describe a broad category or class that is not specific to any one individual item but rather describes a typical example within a group. It speaks to the common characteristics shared by items within the group. Specific, on the other hand, is a term that identifies a particular item or detail that is distinct from others in its class, often pinpointing a unique aspect or attribute.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
When we talk about something generic, we are referring to the general form or nature of a thing without any particular qualities that would single it out from other members of its class. For instance, a generic product in a supermarket may represent a standard version of a product, not differentiated by brand or special features. Specific, conversely, would refer to a unique brand or a product that has a particular set of characteristics that set it apart from other similar products.
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Nov 08, 2023
In the context of information or instructions, generic information applies to a wide range of scenarios and is not tailored to any particular case. It is the kind of information that is widely applicable. Specific information is detailed and relevant to one single case or scenario, designed to apply directly to that situation without ambiguity.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
In communication, using generic terms can sometimes lead to misunderstandings if the listener or reader is expecting more detailed information. It is therefore important to recognize when to be generic, giving a broad overview, and when to be specific, providing detailed and precise information. For example, in medical advice, a generic suggestion could apply to anyone, while specific advice would be tailored to an individual’s unique health profile.
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Nov 08, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
Relating to a general group or class.
Relating to a particular item or detail.
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Example
Medications not branded, but with the same formula.
A medication with a brand name.
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Instructions
Broad guidelines applicable to many situations.
Detailed guidelines applicable to a specific case.
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Nov 08, 2023
Information
General data that applies to a broad category.
Detailed information pertinent to a particular case.
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Nov 08, 2023
Products
Non-branded items that serve a general purpose.
Branded items with unique features or qualities.
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Nov 08, 2023
Generic and Specific Definitions
Generic
Typical of a class; not specific.
She prefers generic examples in her lectures.
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Nov 08, 2023
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Generic
Applicable to an entire group or class.
The doctor gave me generic health advice.
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Nov 08, 2023
Specific
Clear or detailed in communicating
Be specific when telling us what you need.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Generic
Not trademarked or branded.
I bought generic cereal instead of the leading brand.
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Nov 08, 2023
Specific
Limited, distinctive, or unique
Problems specific to small colleges.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Broad in scope or effect.
Generic policies may not address all individual needs.
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Nov 08, 2023
Specific
Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing
A specific remedy for warts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Relating to or descriptive of an entire group or class
Cancer is a generic term for a group of diseases in which cells proliferate wildly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination
"age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Lacking specificity; general
Made some generic remarks about how to save for retirement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species
A specific name.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Relating to or being a product that is sold or distributed without any brand name or without a widely known brand name, especially as a discount alternative to a name-brand product
Generic soap.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Relating to or being the official nonproprietary name of a drug, under which it is licensed and identified by the manufacturer.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
(Grammar) Specifying neither masculine nor feminine gender
Generic nouns like waitperson and executive.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
A wine that is a blend of several grape varieties and does not carry the name of any specific grape.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Very comprehensive; pertaining or appropriate to large classes or groups (genera) as opposed to specific instances.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
(taxonomy) Pertaining to genera of life instead of particular species thereof.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Lacking in precision, often in an evasive fashion; vague; imprecise
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
(of a product or drug) not having a brand name; nonproprietary in design or contents; fungible with the rest of its class.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Pertaining to a species, as a taxon or taxa at the rank of species.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
(grammar) specifying neither masculine nor feminine; epicene; unisex.
Words like salesperson and firefighter are generic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Written so as to operate on any data type, the type required being passed as a parameter.
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Generic
Having coordinates that are algebraically independent over the base field.
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Specific
Serving to identify a particular thing (often a disease or condition), with little risk of mistaking something else for it.
A highly specific test, specific and nonspecific symptoms
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Being a remedy for a particular disease on a deeper level, rather than just masking the symptoms
Quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
Any improvement in secondary sciatica is probably due to the analgesic action of the sodium salicylate, but in primary sciatica, in all likelihood “rheumatic,” the effect of the sodium salicylate appears to be specific rather than symptomatic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
A wine that is a blend of several wines, or made from a blend of several grape varieties.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Pertaining to a genus or kind; relating to a genus, as distinct from a species, or from another genus; as, a generic description; a generic difference; a generic name.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
(physics) similarly referring to a value divided by any measure which acts to standardize it (e.g. thrust specific fuel consumption, referring to fuel consumption divided by thrust)
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Very comprehensive; pertaining or appropriate to large classes or their characteristics; - opposed to specific.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
(physics) a measure compared with a standard reference value by division, to produce a ratio without unit or dimension (e.g. specific refractive index is a pure number, and is relative to that of air)
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Not protected by trademark; - used especially of the names of medications; as, a generic drug; the generic name of Rogaine is minoxidil.
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Relating to or common to or descriptive of all members of a genus;
The generic name
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
(of drugs) not protected by trademark;
`Acetaminophen' is the generic form of the proprietary drug `Tylenol'
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Oct 19, 2023
Generic
Applicable to an entire class or group;
Is there a generic Asian mind?
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice.
Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaptation, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied.
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
A medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
Quinine is a specific for malaria
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique;
Rules with specific application
Demands specific to the job
A specific and detailed account of the accident
Nonspecific enteritis
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
Specific characters
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Being or affecting a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition; used also of stains or dyes used in making microscope slides;
Quinine is highly specific for malaria
A specific remedy
A specific stain is one having a specific affinity for particular structural elements
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Oct 19, 2023
Specific
Clearly defined or identified.
I need specific instructions to assemble the furniture.
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Nov 08, 2023
Specific
Precise or particular.
The recipe calls for a specific brand of butter.
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Nov 08, 2023
Specific
Restricted to one thing or area.
The coupon is only specific to one store location.
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Nov 08, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does generic mean?
It means relating to a general group without specifics.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Is a generic choice always cheaper?
Often, but not always; it typically depends on the product.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can I use specific when I mean generic?
No, because specific implies detail and uniqueness.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can generic be as good as specific?
Yes, generic can be equally effective as specific in many cases.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is generic branding common?
Yes, particularly in products like pharmaceuticals.
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Nov 08, 2023
How do I know if I need a specific or generic solution?
It depends on whether your needs are general or particular.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is a specific example?
It's an example that is detailed and unique to a particular case.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can specific details improve communication?
Yes, they can clarify and tailor the message.
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Nov 08, 2023
Why might a doctor prescribe a generic drug?
It's typically less expensive and equally effective.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can a generic approach work in all situations?
Not always, as some situations require specificity.
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Nov 08, 2023
When should I avoid generic terms?
When precise and detailed information is required.
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Nov 08, 2023
Are generic drugs as safe as specific brands?
Yes, they must meet the same FDA standards.
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Nov 08, 2023
What's a specific instruction?
An instruction that is clear, detailed, and unambiguous.
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Nov 08, 2023
Are specific products more expensive?
They can be, due to branding or unique features.
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Nov 08, 2023
Why is specificity important in legal documents?
It minimizes ambiguity and potential misinterpretation.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is being specific always better?
It depends on context; sometimes a general view is more useful.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can a generic label become specific?
Not typically; specific refers to unique characteristics.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
How do I make my writing more specific?
Use detailed descriptions and avoid generalities.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
What makes a generic term generic?
Its broad application and lack of unique features.
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Nov 08, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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