genetic

1 of 2

adjective

ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈne-tik 

variants or less commonly genetical

jə-ˈne-ti-kəl 

1

: relating to or determined by the origin, development, or causal antecedents of something

2

a

: of, relating to, or involving genetics

b

: of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes

a genetic disease

genetic variation

genetically

jə-ˈne-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

-genetic

2 of 2

adjective combining form

1

: -genic sense 1

organogenetic

2

: -genic sense 2

psychogenetic

Synonyms

Adjective

• hereditary
• heritable
• inborn
• inheritable
• inherited

Examples of genetic in a Sentence

Adjective

hemophilia and other genetic medical disorders

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

High concentration of oxalate in the urine is known as hyperoxaluria and can be caused by certain genetic disorders or by eating large amounts of foods high in oxalate such as spinach, chocolate, nuts and rhubarb. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 June 2025

Once extracted, researchers began to compare the genetic material discovered to previous samples. —Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025

Due to a rare genetic condition that put him at serious risk for bleeding complications, Caleb could not produce enough platelets on his own. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025

The 50-year-old — who spent 11 seasons with the NBA — underwent a heart transplant in February 2024 following a genetic condition that made his heart beat an extra 10,000 times per day. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 19 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

genesis

First Known Use

Adjective

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing genetic

• genetic code
• genetic counseling
• genetic drift
• genetic engineering
• genetic fingerprinting
• genetic load
• genetic map
• genetic marker
• genetic modification
• genetic mutation

Rhymes for genetic

• acetic
• aesthetic
• ascetic
• athletic
• cosmetic
• diegetic
• aeromagnetic
• antiemetic
• antipathetic
• apologetic
• biogenetic
• biomimetic

Kids Definition

genetic

adjective

ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈnet-ik 

variants also genetical

-i-kəl 

: of, relating to, or involving genes or genetics

genetic research

also : caused or controlled by genes

a genetic disease

genetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

genetic

adjective

ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈnet-ik 

variants also genetical

-i-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or involving genetics

2

: of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes

a genetic disease

genetic material

compare acquired sense 1

genetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb