genuinely
Americanadverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of genuinely
Explanation
The adverb genuinely describes something done in a way that's real and true. If your friend is genuinely thrilled about your plan to backpack across China next summer, she means it. When you say something genuinely, you're honest. If you're genuinely worried about your friend getting hurt on her motorcycle, you'll beg her to wear a helmet. One theory about the origin of genuinely is that it comes from the Latin word for "knee," genu, referencing a custom of a father acknowledging his paternity by holding his baby on his knee.
Vocabulary lists containing genuinely
A Monster Calls
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Copper Sun
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"The Hunger Games" Vocabulary from Chapter 3
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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.
Bangladesh's government challenged her on Tuesday to seek extradition from India if she was genuinely determined to return.
From Barron's ● Nov. 11, 2026
I hate to sound alarmist, but I genuinely believe most people have no idea about this.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026
Between Lightfoot and Gord Downie and countless others, rock and folk music genuinely tie Canadian cultural identity together.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
These are simply the things I buy, use and genuinely enjoy.
From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2026
“Oh my God. Do you think she genuinely thought she was being helpful, or do you think she’s afraid if you look nice, people will think you’re prettier than her?”
From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
