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

If true crime is inherently sordid, wringing cheap thrills out of murders, kidnappings, and abuse that destroyed the lives of real human beings, then the scam subgenre can feel like a slightly healthier vice—Diet Coke to the toxic corn-syrup high of a serial-killer addiction. —Judy Berman, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025

The rape revenge horror subgenre has always had a fascination for McAndrews, who is the editor-in-chief of the genre news site Dread Central. —William Earl, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025

The chilling serial-killer thriller helped establish the tropes of the slasher subgenre, preceding Halloween by four years. —EW.com, 28 Dec. 2024

With the launch of Billboard Arabia’s subgenre charts in August, which featured various musical genres and dialects, Abdullah quickly emerged as the dominant force in the Khaleeji category. —Hala Mustafa, Billboard, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above