subgenre

noun

sub·​genre ˈsəb-ˌzhän-rə 

-ˌzhäⁿ-;

-ˌzhäⁿr;

-ˌjän-rə

variants or less commonly sub-genre

plural subgenres also sub-genres

: a genre that is part of a larger genre

The series is part of the booming "urban fantasy" subgenre, which features supernatural creatures interacting with ordinary humans in a contemporary city.

—Jennifer Schuessler

Examples of subgenre in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 100% score is close to on par with the other two entries in the American Manhunt subgenre Netflix has created. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

That doesn’t mean it can’t be cured: Country music has a whole subgenre of songs about redemption. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025

Netflix is doubling down on Southeast Asian genre content with two zombie horror films that promise to reinvent the subgenre with distinctive local flavors, the company revealed during the ongoing APAC film showcase in Tokyo. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025

Despite each one’s distinct mix of subgenres, there are two common elements: Blasting enemies apart and exploring alien worlds. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above