Generic vs. Specific
Difference Between Generic and Specific
Genericadjective
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.Specificadjective
Explicitly set forth; definite
wrote specific instructions.Genericadjective
Lacking specificity; general
made some generic remarks about how to save for retirement.Specificadjective
Clear or detailed in communicating
Be specific when telling us what you need.Genericadjective
(Biology) Of or relating to a genus.
Specificadjective
Limited, distinctive, or unique
problems specific to small colleges.Genericadjective
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.Specificadjective
Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing
a specific remedy for warts.Genericadjective
Relating to or being the official nonproprietary name of a drug, under which it is licensed and identified by the manufacturer.
Specificadjective
Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination
"age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).Genericadjective
(Grammar) Specifying neither masculine nor feminine gender
generic nouns like waitperson and executive.Specificadjective
Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species
a specific name.Genericnoun
A product or substance sold under or identified by a generic name.
Specificadjective
Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.
Genericnoun
A wine that is a blend of several grape varieties and does not carry the name of any specific grape.
Specificadjective
Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.
Genericadjective
Very comprehensive; pertaining or appropriate to large classes or groups as opposed to specific.
Specificadjective
(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
Genericadjective
Lacking in precision, often in an evasive fashion; vague; imprecise.
Specificadjective
Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.
Genericadjective
(of a product or drug) Not having a brand name.
Specificadjective
Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.
Genericadjective
Of or relating to a taxonomic genus.
Specificnoun
Something particularly fitted to a use or purpose.
Genericadjective
Relating to gender.
Specificnoun
A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.
Genericadjective
(grammar) Specifying neither masculine nor feminine; epicene.
Words like salesperson and firefighter are generic.Specificnoun
A distinguishing quality or attribute.
Genericadjective
(computing) (Of program code) Written so as to operate on any data type, the type required being passed as a parameter.
Specificnoun
specifics Distinct items or details; particulars.
Genericadjective
Having coordinates that are algebraically independent over the base field.
Specificadjective
explicit or definite
Genericnoun
A product sold under a generic name.
Specificadjective
(sciences) Pertaining to a species.
Genericnoun
A wine that is a blend of several wines, or made from a blend of several grape varieties.
Specificadjective
(taxonomy) pertaining to a taxon at the rank of species
Genericnoun
(grammar) A term that specifies neither male nor female.
Specificadjective
special, distinctive or unique
Genericadjective
relating to or common to or descriptive of all members of a genus;
the generic nameSpecificadjective
intended for, or applying to, a particular thing
Genericadjective
(of drugs) not protected by trademark;
`Acetaminophen' is the generic form of the proprietary drug `Tylenol'Specificadjective
being a remedy for a particular disease
Quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.Genericadjective
applicable to an entire class or group;
is there a generic Asian mind?Specificadjective
(immunology) limited to a particular antibody or antigen
Specificadjective
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
Specificadjective
(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)
Specificadjective
(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)
Specificnoun
A distinguishing attribute or quality.
Specificnoun
A remedy for a specific disease or condition.
Specificnoun
Specification
Specificnoun
(in the plural) The details; particulars.
Specificnoun
a fact about some part (as opposed to general);
he always reasons from the particular to the generalSpecificnoun
a medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
quinine is a specific for malariaSpecificadjective
(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique;
rules with specific applicationdemands specific to the joba specific and detailed account of the accidentnonspecific enteritisSpecificadjective
stated explicitly or in detail;
needed a specific amountSpecificadjective
relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
specific charactersSpecificadjective
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 malariaa specific remedya specific stain is one having a specific affinity for particular structural elements
