genetic
genetic — adjective
1. relating to the instructions inside every living cell that are passed from paren
relating to the instructions inside every living cell that are passed from parents to children and control features such as eye colour, height, and the risk of certain illnesses
Ritu has her mother's green eyes because of a genetic trait in the family.
collocation: genetic trait
Doctors told Adaeze that her rare heart condition has a clear genetic cause.
collocation: genetic cause
The research team found a genetic link to the inherited illness in the village.
Cyrus wondered whether his early hair loss was genetic or caused by stress.
A simple test can tell parents if their baby has the genetic disorder.
- hereditary
More specific — focuses on passing through family lines rather than the cellular mechanism.
- inherited
Emphasises the family-transmission aspect; used for traits, wealth, or conditions received from ancestors.
- innate
Broader — can describe inborn qualities not necessarily tied to specific genes (e.g. 'an innate sense of rhythm').
- acquired
Describes conditions or traits developed during life rather than inherited at birth.
- environmental
Caused by surroundings or lifestyle rather than by genes.
文法句型
genetic + noun (trait, disorder, test, makeup)
用法筆記
This is the most common use of 'genetic', appearing frequently in medical and everyday contexts. It typically modifies nouns such as 'trait', 'disorder', 'test', 'makeup', and 'cause'. Unlike sense 2, this sense focuses on the biological material passed between generations rather than the scientific field that studies it.
常見錯誤
2. connected with the branch of biology that studies how the characteristics of liv
connected with the branch of biology that studies how the characteristics of living things are passed from one generation to the next through their DNA
Ada decided to study genetic engineering at university after winning the science fair.
collocation: genetic engineering
Genetic research has helped scientists understand how the immune system fights disease.
collocation: genetic research
The university opened a new diagnostic lab to support its genetic medicine programme.
Pim read about the latest advances in genetic testing in a science magazine.
- genomics-related
More specific — refers to the study of genomes (the complete set of genes). More technical and less common.
- hereditary (in academic use)
In scientific contexts, 'hereditary' overlaps with 'genetic' but is narrower, focusing on transmission patterns rather than molecular mechanisms.
文法句型
genetic + noun (research, engineering, testing, medicine)
用法筆記
Use this sense when the topic is the scientific discipline or its practical applications (laboratory work, research studies, academic departments). Distinguish from sense 1: 'a genetic mutation' (sense 1 — the mutation itself) vs 'genetic analysis' (sense 2 — the method of study).
常見錯誤
3. used at the end of a word to mean 'producing' or 'causing' something — for examp
used at the end of a word to mean 'producing' or 'causing' something — for example, a substance that causes cancer is described as 'carcinogenic', and something that causes an allergic reaction is 'allergenic'
The old factory released carcinogenic chemicals into the river near the village.
-genic meaning 'causing': carcinogenic = cancer-causing
Scientists are studying a new allergenic substance found in some household products.
Children's toys must be checked to ensure they do not contain carcinogenic materials.
Eitan's lab is researching whether the new virus strain is more pathogenic than older ones.
文法句型
[noun] + genic = producing [noun]
用法筆記
This is a combining form (also written as '-genic'), not a standalone word. It attaches to noun stems to form adjectives. Common derivatives include 'carcinogenic', 'allergenic', and 'pathogenic'. In scientific writing, many specialised forms exist such as 'mutagenic' and 'teratogenic'.
4. used at the end of a word to mean 'produced by' or 'originating from' something
used at the end of a word to mean 'produced by' or 'originating from' something — for example, someone who looks good in photographs is 'photogenic', and an illness caused by medical treatment is 'iatrogenic'
Noor is very photogenic and always looks great in family holiday pictures.
-genic meaning 'produced by': photogenic = produced by (good in) light
The infection was iatrogenic, meaning it was caused by the hospital treatment itself.
The soil sample contained biogenic compounds produced by ancient microorganisms.
Sirin hired a photographer because she needed photogenic images for her new clothing line.
文法句型
[noun] + genic = originating from [noun]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 of this entry: '-genic' meaning 'producing' (carcinogenic) versus '-genic' meaning 'produced by' (photogenic). The direction of causation depends on context: the first part of the word names either what is produced or what does the producing.