WordValegenre
a category of artistic composition with shared conventions
a category of artistic work with shared conventions
In more detail
1. (noun) a particular style or category of art, music, literature, or film with its own characteristics and conventions
2. (noun) a category or type of something based on shared features
Examples
- Science fiction is her favorite genre of movies.
- The bookstore has sections for different genres of fiction.
How to use genre
Genre refers to a classification system for creative works or things in general, emphasizing the shared conventions and characteristics that define the category. It is more specific and formal than the casual 'type' or 'kind,' and often appears in discussions of art, literature, and entertainment where stylistic traditions matter. It can apply broadly to anything categorized by shared features, though it is most common in cultural contexts.
Common phrases
- genre of music
- different genres
- film genre
- literary genre
- genre conventions
- cross-genre appeal
Synonyms
category · style · type · kind · form
Word family
generic (adjective) · generically (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use 'genre' too narrowly, forgetting that it applies to any category with defining characteristics (comedy is a film genre; noir is a literary genre; science fiction spans multiple genres), not just music or books.
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