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.
To save money, she agreed to move her portfolio elsewhere, but she was genuinely distraught over the loss of what she believed was a friendship with the financial planner.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
But Quinta probably breaks the most because … she genuinely forgets about some of the jokes that she writes.
From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026
But only a few of these films are genuinely worth watching on their own merit.
From Salon • May 25, 2026
It sounds melodramatic, but I genuinely didn’t think I would make it to the age of 25.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
Nico extends his hand to Mama, who takes it and smiles more genuinely now.
From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan
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.
