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genre

[ zhahn-ruh; French zhahn-ruh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural genres

a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique, or the like:
the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music.
Fine Arts.
1. paintings in which scenes of everyday life form the subject matter.
2. a realistic style of painting using such subject matter.
genus; kind; sort; style.

adjective

Fine Arts. of or relating to genre.
of or relating to a distinctive literary type.

genre

/ ˈ��ɑː�԰�ə /

noun

1. kind, category, or sort, esp of literary or artistic work
2. ( as modifier )
  genre fiction
a category of painting in which domestic scenes or incidents from everyday life are depicted

genre

The kind or type of a work of art, from the French, meaning “kind” or “ genus .” Literary genres include the novel and the sonnet . Musical genres include the concerto and the symphony . Film genres include Westerns and horror movies.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of genre¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from French: “kind, sort”; gender ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of genre¹

C19: from French, from Old French gendre; see gender

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Though traditions of the genre remain consistent through the decades, jazz has also historically been about expanding the genre.

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You have done quite a bit of genre work.

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However, equal amounts of attention will be paid to the artists who didn't make it into the hallowed hall, which encompasses all genres of popular music.

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“I can't blame them, any genre of food where the key ingredients are Cool Whip and Jell-O would make me think twice,” she said.

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Here, in a conversation edited for length and clarity, Brosnan discusses developing Conrad, returning to the spy genre in the Steven Soderbergh film “Black Bag” and why acting still thrills him.

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Related Words

gen pop genre-busting

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