genotype: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / Academic / TechnicalFormal, Academic, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “genotype” mean?
The genetic constitution of an individual organism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The genetic constitution of an individual organism.
The specific set of alleles (gene variants) inherited at one or more genetic loci; also used to refer to a group of organisms sharing a specific genetic makeup.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling conventions for related terms follow respective regional norms (e.g., 'analyse' vs. 'analyze' in academic writing).
Connotations
Identical technical and scientific connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in scientific and academic contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “genotype” in a Sentence
the genotype of [NP][NP] has/possesses a [Adjective] genotypeto genotype [NP] (verb form)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “genotype” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Researchers need to genotype all participants in the cohort study.
- The lab will genotype the samples using PCR.
American English
- They are genotyping the corn hybrids for drought resistance.
- Our service can genotype your DNA from a simple cheek swab.
adverb
British English
- N/A (no standard adverbial form for 'genotype').
American English
- N/A (no standard adverbial form for 'genotype').
adjective
British English
- Genotype data must be kept confidential.
- The genotype-phenotype correlation was weak.
American English
- The genotype analysis revealed a novel variant.
- We observed a genotype-specific response to the treatment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in biotech/pharma contexts (e.g., 'The drug is effective only for patients with a specific genotype').
Academic
Core term in genetics, biology, medicine, and anthropology.
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in popular science articles about DNA testing or personalised medicine.
Technical
Precise, standard term in all biological sciences.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “genotype”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “genotype”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “genotype”
- Using 'genotype' to mean physical appearance (that's phenotype).
- Pronouncing it as /'dʒi:.noʊ.taɪp/ (the first 'e' is short).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A genotype refers to the specific alleles at a particular locus or set of loci. A genome is the complete set of all DNA (genes and non-coding sequences) in an organism.
Yes, in technical contexts (e.g., 'to genotype a sample' means to determine its genetic makeup at specific loci).
Not necessarily. They have the same phenotype. Different genotypes can sometimes produce similar phenotypes, especially if environmental influences are strong.
Yes, identical (monozygotic) twins originate from the same fertilised egg and thus share virtually the same genotype.
The genetic constitution of an individual organism.
Genotype is usually formal, academic, scientific in register.
Genotype: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdʒen.əʊ.taɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdʒen.oʊ.taɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Nature via nurture (describes genotype-environment interaction)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GENes determine the TYPE = genotype. The genes you TYPE in (inherit).
Conceptual Metaphor
GENOTYPE AS A BLUEPRINT or INSTRUCTIONS (for building the organism).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary relationship between genotype and phenotype?