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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

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."
2
Sincere and honest in feeling or character.
"His apology sounded genuine."

How to use genuine

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

more genuine comparative, most genuine superlative

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

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").

Origin: Latin

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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