genuine
JEHN-yoo-ihn
Genuine (adj) means Real and authentic, not fake or imitation. Example: “The dealer confirmed the painting was a genuine Rembrandt.”
adj
1
Real and authentic, not fake or imitation.
"The dealer confirmed the painting was a genuine Rembrandt."
"She wore a genuine leather jacket."
"Is this watch genuine, or is it a cheap copy from the market?"
2
Sincere and honest in feeling or character.
"His apology sounded genuine."
"She has a genuine interest in other people and listens without checking her phone."
"I could tell the thanks were genuine from the tears in his eyes."
How to use genuine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe real thing, or someone truly sincere rather than putting on an act.
Common mistake
Not to be confused with ingenuous, which means naive or innocently open.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
genuine interest
genuine concern
genuine article
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more genuine
- Superlative
- most genuine
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dealer confirmed the painting was a _____ Rembrandt.
Etymology
From Latin genuinus ("innate, natural"), related to genus ("birth, origin").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for genuine
See all rhymes for genuine →Frequently asked questions
What does “genuine” mean?
The word “genuine” means real and authentic, not fake or imitation. In plain terms, the real thing, or someone truly sincere rather than putting on an act.
How do you pronounce “genuine”?
“Genuine” is pronounced JEHN-yoo-ihn (/ˈd͡ʒɛn.juˌɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “genuine” in a sentence?
Here is “genuine” used in a sentence: “The dealer confirmed the painting was a genuine Rembrandt.”
What is another word for “genuine”?
Words with a similar meaning to “genuine” include authentic, legit, lubish, natural, real and true.
What is the opposite of “genuine”?
The opposite of “genuine” — its antonyms — are fake, ingenuine, counterfeit, fraudulent and knockoff.
What part of speech is “genuine”?
“Genuine” is an adjective.
Where does the word “genuine” come from?
The word “genuine” comes from Latin. From Latin genuinus ("innate, natural"), related to genus ("birth, origin").
Is “genuine” a common word?
“Genuine” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between genuine and authentic?
Both mean real rather than fake when describing objects. Authentic often emphasises verified origin — a document or artwork confirmed to be what it claims — while genuine also extends to feelings and character, as in genuine concern or a genuine person.
Can genuine describe a person?
Yes. Calling someone genuine means they are sincere and honest in feeling or character, without pretence. It is a compliment about authenticity of personality rather than about physical realness.
What is the difference between genuine and real?
Real is the broadest term, meaning something exists or is not imaginary. Genuine specifically means not fake, counterfeit, or insincere, so it is the better choice when authenticity is in question — a genuine leather bag, a genuine apology.
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