genuine

adjective gen·u·ine \ˈjen-yə-wən, -(ˌ)win, ÷-ˌwīn\

: actual, real, or true : not false or fake

: sincere and honest

Full Definition of GENUINE

a : actually having the reputed or apparent qualities or character <genuine vintage wines>

b : actually produced by or proceeding from the alleged source or author <the signature is genuine>

c : sincerely and honestly felt or experienced <a deep and genuine love>

d : actual, true <a genuine improvement>

: free from hypocrisy or pretense : sincere

— gen·u·ine·ly adverb

— gen·u·ine·ness \-wə(n)-nəs\ noun

See genuine defined for English-language learners

See genuine defined for kids

Usage Discussion of GENUINE

The objection which some commentators make to the pronunciation \ˈjen-yə-ˌwīn\ is perhaps occasioned by the fact that it is more frequent among those with less schooling. However, this variant is heard in the speech of cultured or highly educated speakers sufficiently frequently for it to be recognized as a widespread pronunciation at all social levels. This variant was recorded as early as 1890 and appears to be simply a long-standing spelling pronunciation.

Examples of GENUINE

But whatever else he is, he is the genuine article. A writer of one terrible book after another, but a writer nonetheless. —Dale Peck, New Republic, 1 July 2002
Having had two brothers, a sister and a brother-in-law die violently, he acquired a genuine identification with suffering, particularly that of what has come to be called the underclass. —George F. Will, New York Times Book Review,24 May 1998
Like a poem, a genuine essay is made of language and character and mood and temperament and pluck and chance. —Cynthia Ozick, Atlantic, September 1998
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Origin of GENUINE

Latin genuinus innate, genuine; akin to Latin gignere to beget — more at kin

First Known Use: circa 1639

Related to GENUINE

Synonyms: bona fide, certifiable, certified, dinkum [Australian & New Zealand], echt, authentic, honest, pukka (also pucka), real, right, sure-enough, true

Antonyms: bogus, counterfeit, fake, false, mock, phony (also phoney), pseudo, sham, spurious, suppositious, supposititious, unauthentic, unreal

Synonym Discussion of GENUINE

authentic, genuine, bona fide mean being actually and exactly what is claimed. authentic implies being fully trustworthy as according with fact <an authentic account of the perilous journey>; it can also stress painstaking or faithful imitation of an original <an authentic reproduction> <authentic Vietnamese cuisine>. genuine implies actual character not counterfeited, imitated, or adulterated <genuine piety> <genuine maple syrup>; it also connotes definite origin from a source <a genuine Mark Twain autograph>. bona fide implies good faith and sincerity of intention <a bona fide offer for the stock>.