adj
Common
authentic
o-THEHN-tihk
Authentic (adj) means Genuine and exactly what it claims to be, not fake or copied. Example: “The museum checked that the painting was authentic before putting it on display.”
adj
1
Genuine and exactly what it claims to be, not fake or copied.
"The museum checked that the painting was authentic before putting it on display."
"She bought an authentic Italian leather bag on her trip to Florence."
"This is an authentic recipe passed down through three generations."
2
True to one's own character; sincere and honest rather than put-on.
"I like her because she is authentic and never pretends to be someone else."
"He wanted to give an authentic answer rather than the one people expected."
"His speech felt authentic, not like something written by a PR team."
How to use authentic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishReal and genuine — the real deal, not a fake, copy, or performance.
Common pairings
authentic cuisine
authentic experience
authentic self
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more authentic
- Superlative
- most authentic
Fill the gap
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The museum checked that the painting was _____ before putting it on display.
Etymology
From Old French autentique, from Latin authenticus, from Greek authentikós ("genuine").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “authentic” mean?
The word “authentic” means genuine and exactly what it claims to be, not fake or copied. In plain terms, real and genuine — the real deal, not a fake, copy, or performance.
How do you pronounce “authentic”?
“Authentic” is pronounced o-THEHN-tihk (/ɔˈθɛn.tɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “authentic” in a sentence?
Here is “authentic” used in a sentence: “She bought an authentic Italian leather bag on her trip to Florence.”
What is the opposite of “authentic”?
The opposite of “authentic” — its antonyms — are non-authentic, nonauthentic, phony, fake and ingenuine.
What part of speech is “authentic”?
“Authentic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “authentic” come from?
The word “authentic” comes from Latin. From Old French autentique, from Latin authenticus, from Greek authentikós ("genuine").
Is “authentic” a common word?
“Authentic” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “authentic” have?
“Authentic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: genuine and exactly what it claims to be, not fake or copied.
What is the difference between authentic and genuine?
The two overlap heavily and are often interchangeable. Genuine stresses that something is not fake or counterfeit, while authentic adds the idea of being exactly what it claims to be, often with verified origin — an authentic painting is one confirmed to be by the claimed artist. Applied to people, authentic means true to one's own character.
What is the difference between authentic and original?
Original means the first of its kind, or the actual first item rather than a copy. Authentic means genuinely what it claims to be. The two can come apart: officially licensed merchandise is authentic without being an original, and a first draft is original whether or not anyone disputes it.
Which nouns commonly follow authentic?
Authentic frequently modifies food and culture nouns — authentic Italian cuisine, an authentic experience — where it means true to the tradition it claims. It also modifies items whose genuineness matters, such as an authentic signature, an authentic document, or an authentic antique.
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