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.
“If I hear that ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ — which is coming out later this year — was made half by AI, I genuinely don’t think I would buy it anymore,” Vargas told MarketWatch.
From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026
"We know that bus replacement services are a significant ask of passengers and we're genuinely grateful for their patience while this vital work is completed," said Marcus Deegan of GWR.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
Little by little, I’ve built a style of grocery shopping that allows me to cook the foods I genuinely crave while staying within my means.
From Salon • May 22, 2026
“Sharing the pen with our partners from start to finish allows us to build something that feels true to the story and is genuinely exciting for our customers,” Healan said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
I was genuinely apologetic for laughing and even more deeply regretful of the situation I had put myself in.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
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.
