genuine
Americanadjective
-
possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real.
genuine sympathy;
a genuine antique.
-
properly so called.
a genuine case of smallpox.
-
free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy; sincere.
a genuine person.
- Synonyms:
- forthright, frank, honest, open, unaffected, true
-
descended from the original stock; pure in breed.
a genuine Celtic people.
adjective
-
not fake or counterfeit; original; real; authentic
-
not pretending; frank; sincere
-
being of authentic or original stock
Pronunciation
Two pronunciations of genuine occur, with a sharp social contrast between them. The usual educated pronunciation is , with the final syllable unstressed. Among some less educated speakers, especially older ones, genuine is commonly pronounced as , with a secondary stress on the final syllable, which has the vowel of sign. The latter pronunciation is sometimes used deliberately by educated speakers, as for emphasis or humorous effect.
Synonym Usage
See authentic.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of genuine
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin genuīnus “innate, natural,” equivalent to genu, as in ingenuus “native” ( see ingenuous) + -īnus adjective suffix ( see -ine 1)
Explanation
Genuine things are true or authentic. When you're talking about people, being genuine has to do with being sincere. This word has to do with things and people that are true. A genuine blonde is a real blonde — no hair dye involved. A genuine friend is a real friend you can trust when the chips are down. Genuine feelings are real feelings — not fake feelings put on as a show. A genuine hundred dollar bill is the real McCoy, not a counterfeit bill. When something is the real thing, it's genuine.
Vocabulary lists containing genuine
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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The Real Deal: Synonyms for "True"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I missed genuine Italian markets — the kind where they carve a slab of Parmesan out of a freshly cut wheel and offer you a piece to taste.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Yet many of these widows, daughters, and other female successors were also savvy political operators, leaving behind genuine legislative legacies or winning office in their own right.
From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026
“We’re looking for a level of maturity. Someone who is motivated to live with 600-plus older adults and open to genuine social interactions and sees the potential value in connecting with older adults.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
They were put back on sale as general admission tickets, increasing the number available for genuine fans.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
She looked like a movie star or a genuine country music singer, not the Momma I’d last seen nearly six months ago.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
