genres - Master This Word
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genres Word Meanings
- a category of artistic composition
- a style or type of literature or art
- a distinguished kind or class
genres Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
genres Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈʒɒn.rə/
US
/ˈʒɑn.ər/
genres Word Etymology
From French 'genre', meaning 'kind' or 'type'. Visualize a library with shelves divided into distinct sections, each labeled with a 'genre'.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
First I push open a catalog and move along the shelves. I switch from one cover to another, adjusting how I grip the spine as I look. The room hums with posters, colors, and voices, nudging me toward a certain vibe. By the time I settle on a feel, I sense how people group art and stories by that shared mood, and I let it sit in my mind.
Real Context
Genre is a word used to label categories of artistic works such as films, novels, music, and visual art. It refers to a set of conventions, themes, and storytelling traditions that help audiences anticipate what they will experience. Common genres include mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy, and works can belong to multiple genres or blend elements. The word comes from French genre meaning kind or type, and in English it often pairs with adjectives like 'literary', 'film', or 'musical'. Learners should distinguish genre from style or format, and remember subgenres can refine a main category. A library or streaming service often sorts by genre to help discovery.
Usage Reminders
- Use genre to label categories of art, not to rate quality. Distinguish genre from style or format. A work can blend genres or switch subgenres. Use plural 'genres' when talking about more than one. Pair a genre with a specific work or audience when discussing recommendations.
Common Misconceptions
- Genre means quality or greatness, not just category.
- A work can only belong to one genre, which is rarely true.
- Genre is the same as style or mood, ignore that overlap.
- Genres are fixed; films or books cannot blend elements from others.
- Genre always maps one-to-one with audience expectations.
Thinking Differences
English tends to treat genre as a neutral box you label a work with, but many languages view genre more as intrinsic style or purpose; learners may overemphasize a single label or confuse genre with mood.
Learning Tips
- Learn 8 common genres (drama, comedy, thriller, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, documentary).
- Practice naming genres for different works (book, film, song).
- Note that blends are common: ‘romantic comedy’, ‘science fantasy’.
- Pair genres with adjectives to describe tone (dark crime genre).
- Use genre when recommending works to someone with preferences.
- Watch for subgenres and how they refine a main category.
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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