genesis

en
en
Change language
Translating...
Find language
Español
Spanish
Français
French
Deutsch
German
Português
Portuguese
Русский
Russian
/ˈdʒɛnəsɪs/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
A word for the origin or beginning of something, and, when capitalized, the first book of the Bible.

Examples

  • Her book explores the genesis of modern democracy.
  • Genesis opens with the creation narrative.
  • The story of Noah appears in Genesis.
  • Scientists debated the genesis of the unusual rock formation.
  • The policy's genesis was a small local experiment.

Similar words

first book of the Torah
Bereshit
birth
inception
formation
beginning
origin
source
Book of Genesis
start

Meanings

Origin or beginning

noun
everyday
formal
The beginning, origin, or formation of something, especially a process, idea, institution, or event.

Examples

  • The genesis of the movement can be traced to student protests.
  • Her book explores the genesis of modern democracy.
  • The idea had its genesis in a late-night conversation.
  • Scientists debated the genesis of the unusual rock formation.
  • The policy's genesis was a small local experiment.

Similar words

First book of the Bible

noun
literary
neutral
The first book of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament, describing creation, early humanity, and the ancestral stories of Israel.

Examples

  • Genesis opens with the creation narrative.
  • The story of Noah appears in Genesis.
  • Many readers study Genesis as part of the Torah.
  • The Book of Genesis includes stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
  • In Spanish, Genesis is written Génesis.

Similar words

Etymology

From Greek genesis, meaning origin, birth, or creation. The biblical book received the title Genesis through Greek and Latin tradition because it deals with beginnings and origins.

FAQ

What does genesis mean?

It means the origin, beginning, or formation of something.

Why is Genesis capitalized?

Genesis is capitalized when it names the biblical book. The common noun genesis is lowercase.

What is the Book of Genesis?

It is the first book of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament.

Is genesis a formal word?

Yes. For everyday use, beginning, start, or origin is often simpler.

What is a synonym for genesis?

Synonyms include origin, beginning, start, birth, source, formation, and inception.

What is the opposite of genesis?

Possible opposites include end, ending, conclusion, and termination.

How do you use genesis in a sentence?

For example: The idea had its genesis in a late-night conversation.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...