genericization: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Academic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “genericization” mean?
The process by which a brand name or trademark loses its specific, proprietary meaning and becomes a general, common noun for a type of product.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process by which a brand name or trademark loses its specific, proprietary meaning and becomes a general, common noun for a type of product.
More broadly, the erosion of distinctiveness and transformation into a general, non-specific category. Can also refer to the process of making something generic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Genericisation' is an alternative, less common British spelling.
Connotations
Neutral-descriptive term in both dialects.
Frequency
Used with equal rarity in both technical contexts. 'Genericide' is a common synonymous term, especially in legal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “genericization” in a Sentence
[NP] underwent genericization[NP] led to the genericization of [NP]the genericization of [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “genericization” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The brand managers were concerned it would genericise.
- Aspirin has been genericised in many markets.
American English
- The brand managers were concerned it would genericize.
- Xerox is fighting not to be genericized.
adverb
British English
- The term shifted genericisingly into common parlance.
American English
- The term shifted genericizingly into common parlance.
adjective
British English
- The genericisation process is often irreversible.
- They faced a genericisation threat.
American English
- The genericization process is often irreversible.
- They faced a genericization threat.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In marketing and IP law, referring to the loss of trademark protection, as in 'The company actively fights the genericization of its flagship product name.'
Academic
In sociolinguistics, used to describe lexical semantic change: 'The paper examines the sociocultural drivers of aspirin's genericization.'
Everyday
Rarely used. Might appear in articles about business or language: 'Many people don't realise that Hoover has undergone genericization in the UK.'
Technical
Precise term in trademark law and lexicography to denote when a term moves from proprietary to generic status in dictionaries.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “genericization”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “genericization”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “genericization”
- Misspelling as 'generization' or 'generacization'.
- Confusing 'genericization' (process) with 'generic' (state).
- Using it for non-linguistic/trademark contexts where 'standardization' or 'homogenization' is more accurate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'genericide' is a common synonym, particularly in legal contexts. It is more metaphorical (suggesting 'killing' the trademark), while 'genericization' is more descriptive of the process.
Yes, through active trademark defence: policing improper use, educating the public and media on correct capitalization, and using the trademark as an adjective followed by a generic noun (e.g., 'Kleenex tissues').
Genericization specifically refers to proprietary brand names losing their legal protection and becoming standard terms for a product category, not just any word increasing in frequency.
It is at high risk and is often used generically ('just google it'), but the company actively combats this with marketing and legal strategies to retain its trademark status.
The process by which a brand name or trademark loses its specific, proprietary meaning and becomes a general, common noun for a type of product.
Genericization is usually formal / academic / technical in register.
Genericization: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒɛnərɪsaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒɛnərəsəˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Brand] fell victim to genericization.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: a GENERIC product name is created through genericIZATION.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRAND IS A WALL; GENERICIZATION IS EROSION.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a classic example of genericization?