authentic

American  

[aw-then-tik] / ɔˈθɛn tɪk /

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.

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authentic British  

/ 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

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Synonym Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of authentic

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

Explanation

The adjective authentic describes something that is real or genuine and not counterfeit. Be careful when you are buying jewelry or watches. If you are going to buy a diamond ring, you want an authentic diamond and not glass. That would be authentic glass but a fake diamond! In addition to describing something real, the adjective authentic describes something reliable, based on fact, and believable. If you have to write a research paper for school, be sure to use authentic facts and figures. The teacher is sure to check if you write, "My little sister told me that the Eiffel Tower is about 10,000 feet high," when in fact it's 1,063 feet tall.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

authentic

In my five years across three different prisons, I cannot recall a single authentic fire drill.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

“Are they really willing to ‘go there’ and be real and to have an authentic story told?

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

"This is the first step of a long walk towards absolute and authentic equality. I choose to be optimistic," she said, admitting the vote had made her "more hopeful."

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

Rather than relying on elaborate studio sets, the production embraced the neighborhood’s authentic character, allowing real businesses, public squares, and residential streets to become integral parts of the series’ identity.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026

Maybe something like, “Your career? I end it. Your G status as authentic as them gems in your pendant.”

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

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