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adj Common

authentic

o-THEHN-tihk

Authentic (adj) means genuine and exactly what it claims to be, not fake or copied. Example: “She bought an authentic Italian leather bag on her trip to Florence.”

adj
1
Genuine and exactly what it claims to be, not fake or copied.
"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.
"His speech felt authentic, not like something written by a PR team."

How to Use Authentic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishReal and genuine — the real deal, not a fake, copy, or performance.

Common pairings
authentic cuisine authentic experience authentic self

Word Forms

more authentic comparative, most authentic superlative

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Test yourself on “authentic” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She bought an _____ Italian leather bag on her trip to Florence.

Etymology

From Old French autentique, from Latin authenticus, from Greek authentikós ("genuine").

Origin: Latin

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial