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.
Crisp Mexican-style chorizo is optional, but I genuinely like this best when the corn gets to be extremely, unapologetically corn.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
I know that entertainment giants whose works I treasure, from Martin Scorsese to Natasha Lyonne, are genuinely interested in the cinematic possibilities of A.I.
From Slate ● Aug. 16, 2026
There are genuinely hard things that are still beyond the grasp of AI, even if you hold its nonexistent hands.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
You have substantial assets available to you if you genuinely need cash.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
He did manage to get our keys back so we could get away from the evac center—and he seems to genuinely want to help us.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
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.
