authentic

[aw-then-tik]

adjective

1. not false or copied; genuine; real.

   an authentic antique.

2. having an origin supported by unquestionable evidence; authenticated; verified.

   an authentic document of the Middle Ages;

   an authentic work of the old master.

3. representing one’s true nature or beliefs; true to oneself or to the person identified.

   a story told in the authentic voice of a Midwestern farmer;

   a senator’s speech that sounded authentic.

4. entitled to acceptance or belief because of agreement with known facts or experience; reliable; trustworthy.

   an authentic report on poverty in Africa.

5. Law.,  executed with all due formalities.

   an authentic deed.

6. Music.

   1. (of a church mode) having a range extending from the final to the octave above.

   2. (of a cadence) consisting of a dominant harmony followed by a tonic.

7. Obsolete.,  authoritative.

authentic

/ ɔːˈθɛntɪk, ˌɔːθɛnˈtɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of undisputed origin or authorship; genuine

   an authentic signature

2. accurate in representation of the facts; trustworthy; reliable

   an authentic account

3. (of a deed or other document) duly executed, any necessary legal formalities having been complied with

4. music

   1. using period instruments and historically researched scores and playing techniques in an attempt to perform a piece as it would have been played at the time it was written

   2. ( in combination )

      an authentic-instrument performance

5. music Compare plagal

   1. (of a mode as used in Gregorian chant) commencing on the final and ending an octave higher

   2. (of a cadence) progressing from a dominant to a tonic chord

Other Word Forms

• authentically adverb
• authenticity noun
• nonauthentic adjective
• quasi-authentic adjective
• quasi-authentically adverb
• unauthentic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of authentic¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Late Latin authenticus “coming from the author, genuine” (also in the neuter, as a noun: “original document, the original”), from Greek authentikós “original, primary, at first hand,” equivalent to authént(ēs) “perpetrator,” literally, “one who does things oneself” ( aut- aut- + -hentēs “doer”) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of authentic¹

C14: from Late Latin authenticus coming from the author, from Greek authentikos, from authentēs one who acts independently, from _auto- + hentēs a doer

Synonym Study

Authentic, genuine, real, veritable share the sense of actuality and lack of falsehood or misrepresentation. Authentic carries the connotation of authoritative confirmation that things or people are what they are claimed or appear to be: an authentic Rembrandt sketch; an authentic smile. Genuine refers to objects or persons having the characteristics or source claimed or implied: a genuine ivory carving. Real, the most general of these terms, refers to innate or actual—as opposed to ostensible—nature or character: In real life, plans often miscarry. A real diamond will cut glass. Veritable, derived from the Latin word for truth, suggests the general truthfulness but not necessarily the literal or strict correspondence with reality of that which it describes; it is often used metaphorically: a veritable wizard of finance.

Example Sentences

Copycat models and overexpansion can quickly dilute the “authentic” story that makes small luxuries appealing.

Read more on Barron's

“Every corner reveals authentic detail that tells its own story—from the original French doors to the handcrafted archway and copper screens that stand strong a century later.”

Read more on MarketWatch

His affability was undeniable, largely because Candy was as kindhearted and authentic in real life as he was onscreen.

Read more on Salon

They appear to be authentic with similar design characteristics to genuine road signs.

Read more on BBC

An authentic Christian life therefore should no longer focus on self-interest.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accurate 
• authoritative 
• convincing 
• credible 
• legitimate 
• original 
• pure 
• reliable 
• true 
• trustworthy