genuinely

American  

[jen-yoo-in-lee] / ˈdʒɛn yu ɪn li /

adverb

1. in a way that is real or true; authentically, honestly, or sincerely.

   We encourage children to place themselves in other people’s shoes in order to genuinely understand and empathize with their emotions.

   Ada is volunteering on the campaign because she genuinely believes in the candidate’s goals.

---

Other Word Forms

• nongenuinely adverb
• quasi-genuinely adverb
• ungenuinely adverb

Etymology

Origin of genuinely

genuine ( def. ) + -ly

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.

Example Sentences

Gould said children often struggled to believe careers in space genuinely existed for them, but "actually seeing a mission within their lifetime makes them realise this is real".

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Another role crypto is playing in the war is genuinely novel, and it complicates the mediations in Pakistan in a different register.

From Barron's • Apr. 18, 2026

“Miller genuinely wanted to fight for this cause as an anti-colonial patriot,” Mr. Hemming writes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Approached genuinely, that framework poses a serious problem for conscription.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

Cherrie not only respected Roosevelt as the former president of the United States, but he genuinely cared about him, like a brother.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

• absolutely
• actually
• authentically
• certainly
• fairly
• honestly
• indeed