genera: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Academic / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “genera” mean?
The plural form of 'genus', which is a biological classification ranking below family and above species.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The plural form of 'genus', which is a biological classification ranking below family and above species; a group of related living things sharing common characteristics.
In broader or more metaphorical use, it can refer to a class, kind, or category sharing fundamental characteristics (e.g., in logic, philosophy, or general classification).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differences follow general BrE/AmE patterns for the word.
Connotations
Strongly associated with scientific, particularly biological, discourse in both regions.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse in both BrE and AmE, but standard in relevant scientific fields.
Grammar
How to Use “genera” in a Sentence
[Verb] + genera (e.g., The study identified three new genera.)[Adjective] + genera (e.g., closely related genera)[Preposition] + genera (e.g., classification within these genera)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “genera” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb form derived from 'genera')
American English
- (No standard verb form derived from 'genera')
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form derived from 'genera')
American English
- (No standard adverb form derived from 'genera')
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective form derived from 'genera'. 'Generic' is related but from a different root.)
American English
- (No standard adjective form derived from 'genera'. 'Generic' is related but from a different root.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in biological sciences, taxonomy, and some philosophical/logical writing about classification.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be considered highly specialized or pretentious if misapplied.
Technical
Core term in biological taxonomy, paleontology, and related disciplines.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “genera”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “genera”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “genera”
- Using 'genuses' (non-standard; the correct plural is 'genera').
- Treating 'genera' as singular (e.g., 'this genera is...' should be 'this genus is...' or 'these genera are...').
- Mispronouncing it as /dʒɪˈnɪərə/ (like 'general' without the 'l').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Genera' is strictly plural. The singular form is 'genus'.
It is not recommended unless you are specifically discussing biological classification. Using 'kinds', 'types', or 'categories' is more appropriate for general speech.
In British English, it's typically /ˈdʒɛn(ə)rə/. In American English, it's /ˈdʒɛnərə/. The first syllable rhymes with 'jen' (as in Jennifer), not 'gene'.
A genus is a broader classification category that contains one or more related species. For example, the genus 'Felis' includes species like the domestic cat (Felis catus) and the wildcat (Felis silvestris).
The plural form of 'genus', which is a biological classification ranking below family and above species.
Genera is usually technical / academic / scientific in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. It is a technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'General' categories → 'Genera' are the general groups that contain specific 'species'. One GENUS, many GENERA.
Conceptual Metaphor
CATEGORIES ARE CONTAINERS (for species).
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct plural form of the biological term 'genus'?