genuine

/ˈdʒɛn.ju.ɪn/

Say it: JEN-yoo-in

1. adjective Truly what it is said to be; not a copy or imitation.
The watch is made of genuine leather, not a synthetic substitute.
2. adjective Sincere and honest; free from pretense or hypocrisy.
She showed genuine concern for her friend's well being.

📖 Seen in the wild

The expert confirmed that the painting was a genuine masterpiece, not a forgery.
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✏️ genuine in a sentence

After years of searching, the museum finally acquired a genuine Van Gogh.
His apology seemed genuine, so I decided to forgive him.
It's refreshing to have a leader who gives genuine, unscripted answers.
We need to see a genuine effort to improve customer service.
The book is a genuine reflection of life in the 19th century.
Despite his tough exterior, he's one of the most genuine people I know.
Her surprise was genuine; she had no idea we were planning a party.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

authentic sincere real heartfelt bona fide legitimate earnest unaffected

authentic · stresses being true to an original or a standard, rather than just not being a copy.

sincere · applies to feelings or people and focuses on the absence of deceit in expression.

real · a more general and common term; 'genuine' often sounds slightly more emphatic.

heartfelt · specifically describes emotions as being deeply and sincerely felt.

Opposites: fake, counterfeit, phony, insincere, artificial

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'genuine' comes from the Latin 'genuinus', meaning 'native' or 'innate', from the root word for 'to beget' or 'to be born'. The original idea was that something was genuine if it belonged to its original stock or kind. Over time, this evolved into our modern meaning of being real, not a copy or imitation.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

genuine leathergenuine articlegenuine concerngenuine interesta genuine smilea genuine person

The word 'genuine' is versatile, applying both to objects (not counterfeit) and to people or emotions (sincere). While often used interchangeably with 'authentic', 'authentic' can also mean being true to one's own character. For example, a person's style might be 'authentic' (true to them), while their apology is 'genuine' (sincerely meant).

Word family: genuinely, genuineness

💬 Quick answers

What does genuine mean?

Genuine has two main meanings. It can mean something is real and not fake, like a genuine diamond. It can also describe a person or feeling as sincere and honest, like genuine friendship.

What is the difference between genuine and authentic?

They are very similar. 'Genuine' emphasizes that something is the real thing and not a copy. 'Authentic' often implies that something is true to its origins or a set of standards, like an authentic Italian recipe.

What is the difference between genuine and sincere?

'Genuine' describes a feeling that is real and deeply felt. 'Sincere' describes the expression of a feeling, meaning it is expressed without deceit. A feeling can be genuine, and the apology for it can be sincere.

Is genuine a formal word?

No, 'genuine' is a neutral word. It is appropriate for all contexts, from casual conversation to formal writing.

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