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genuine

[ jen-yoo-in ]
/ ˈdʒɛn yu ɪn /
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See synonyms for: genuine / genuinely / genuineness on Thesaurus.com
adjective
possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real: genuine sympathy;a genuine antique.
properly so called: a genuine case of smallpox.
free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy; sincere: a genuine person.
descended from the original stock; pure in breed: a genuine Celtic people.
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Origin of genuine

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin genuīnus “innate, natural,” equivalent to genu, as in ingenuus “native” (see ingenuous) + -īnus adjective suffix (see -ine1)

synonym study for genuine

1. See authentic.

how to pronounce genuine

Two pronunciations of genuine occur, with a sharp social contrast between them. The usual educated pronunciation is [jen-yoo-in], /ˈdʒɛn yu ɪn/, with the final syllable unstressed. Among some less educated speakers, especially older ones, genuine is commonly pronounced as [jen-yoo-ahyn], /ˈdʒɛn yuˌaɪn/, with a secondary stress on the final syllable, which has the vowel of sign. The latter pronunciation is sometimes used deliberately by educated speakers, as for emphasis or humorous effect.

OTHER WORDS FROM genuine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to genuine

absolute, bona fide, certain, honest, legitimate, natural, palpable, positive, pure, earnest, heartfelt, real, sincere, true, accurate, actual, demonstrable, exact, factual, good

How to use genuine in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for genuine

genuine
/ (ˈdʒɛnjʊɪn) /
adjective
not fake or counterfeit; original; real; authentic
not pretending; frank; sincere
being of authentic or original stock

Derived forms of genuine

genuinely, adverbgenuineness, noun

Word Origin for genuine

C16: from Latin genuīnus inborn, hence (in Late Latin) authentic, from gignere to produce
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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