-gen

¹

Also -gene

1. a combining form meaning “that which produces,” used in the formation of compound words.

   endogen; hydrogen.

gen.

²

abbreviation

1. gender.

2. general.

3. genitive.

4. genus.

Gen.

³

abbreviation

1. Military.,  General.

2. Bible.,  Genesis.

3. Geneva.

-gen

¹

suffix

1. producing or that which produces

   hydrogen

2. something produced

   carcinogen

Gen.

²

abbreviation

1. General

2. Bible Genesis

gen

³

/ dʒɛn /

noun

1. informal,  information See also gen up

   give me the gen on your latest project

Word History and Origins

Origin of -gen¹

< French -gène ≪ Greek -genēs born, produced; akin to Latin genus, kin

Word History and Origins

Origin of -gen¹

via French -gène, from Greek -genēs born

Origin of -gen²

C20: from gen ( eral information )

Example Sentences

Gen Z fans are “fascinated by the idea of being an uncompromising rock band and conquering the world. That’s so far out of anyone’s conception of what’s possible today,” Kirk said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Can you imagine Sabrina Carpenter, in an interview, saying she hated Taylor Swift? It’s so fun to think that you can do that and it wouldn’t ruin your career. I’ve seen so many Liam Gallagher fancams on TikTok where the comments are like ‘OMG, so babygirl’” — a Gen Z term of endearment for older men — “because no other frontman has had that swagger since.”

From Los Angeles Times

The US has also placed sanctions on army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan blaming him for civilian deaths and using food deprivation as a weapon of war.

From BBC

I too am grateful to my brilliant parliamentary team, Harpreet Uppal, Mark Ferguson, and Gen Kitchen.

From BBC

Corey Feldman, known for 1980s films including “The Goonies” and “Stand by Me,” is there as the show’s Gen X former teen idol.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does -gen mean?

The combining form -gen is used like a suffix meaning “that which produces.” It is often used in scientific and technical terms, especially in chemistry and biology.The form -gen comes from Greek -genēs, meaning “born” or “produced.” The Latin translation and cognate of -genēs is nātus, meaning “born,” which is the source of natal, native, and nature. Find out how these terms derive from nātus at our entry for each word.What are variants of -gen?While the form -gen doesn't have any variants, it is related to the combining forms -genic, -geny, and -genous, as in heterogenic, heterogeny, and heterogenous. The form -gen is also closely related to the combining forms -genesis and -genetic as in carcinogenesis and autogenetic. Read our Words That Use articles for -genic, -geny, -genous, -genesis, and -genetic to learn more.