genuine

[jen-yoo-in]

adjective

1. possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real.

   genuine sympathy;

   a genuine antique.

2. properly so called.

   a genuine case of smallpox.

3. free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy; sincere.

   a genuine person.

   Synonyms: forthright, frank, honest, open, unaffected, true

4. descended from the original stock; pure in breed.

   a genuine Celtic people.

genuine

/ ˈdʒɛnjʊɪn /

adjective

1. not fake or counterfeit; original; real; authentic

2. not pretending; frank; sincere

3. being of authentic or original stock

Pronunciation Note

Two pronunciations of genuine occur, with a sharp social contrast between them. The usual educated pronunciation is , with the final syllable unstressed. Among some less educated speakers, especially older ones, genuine is commonly pronounced as , 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 Word Forms

• genuineness noun
• genuinely adverb
• nongenuine adjective
• quasi-genuine adjective
• ungenuine adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of genuine¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin genuīnus “innate, natural,” equivalent to genu, as in ingenuus “native” ( ingenuous ) + -īnus adjective suffix ( -ine ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of genuine¹

C16: from Latin genuīnus inborn, hence (in Late Latin) authentic, from gignere to produce

Synonym Study

See authentic.

Example Sentences

The vote came amid a wider debate over the Democratic Party’s approach to Israel, and whether recent actions represent a genuine shift in policy thinking, as opposed to a temporary, tactical adjustment to current circumstances.

From Salon

But what makes the show worth watching are Weatherly and De Pablo, two extremely attractive middle-aged people with genuine chemistry; he’s superheroically unflappable without ever seeming anything but a regular Joe.

From Los Angeles Times

He concluded that any response from the government to his review "must be rooted in sustained dialogue with all communities and stakeholders, and reflect a genuine commitment to shared governance".

From BBC

That was Palace's only genuine hope of starting an auction.

From BBC

Horner refused to say whether the messages were genuine, describing them as "anonymous, speculative messages from an unknown source".

From BBC

Related Words

• absolute 
• bona fide 
• certain 
• honest 
• legitimate 
• natural 
• palpable 
• positive 
• pure