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genuine
/ˈdʒɛn.juː.ɪn/
authentic or real
The antique dealer assured me the painting was genuine.
The painting was confirmed to be authentic and not a fake.
general
Authentic, real, or not fake
She showed me her genuine birth certificate.
The document was real and not forged.
His genuine smile warmed everyone's hearts.
His smile was sincere and not forced.
Often used to emphasize authenticity in contrast to counterfeit or imitation.
Collocations
genuine concerna sincere worry or interestgenuine efforta real attempt or hard workgenuine articlethe real thing, not a fake
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguishing between 'genuine' and 'authentic'
'Genuine' often emphasizes the absence of fakeness, while 'authentic' emphasizes originality or authority.
Gold Rule
Use with care in formal contexts
In legal or professional contexts, 'genuine' can have specific meanings, so verify usage.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'genuin', from Old French 'genuin', from Latin 'genuinus' meaning 'natural, innate, genuine', from 'gignere' meaning 'to beget, produce'.
Usage Notes
Can be used to describe both physical objects (e.g., genuine leather) and abstract qualities (e.g., genuine kindness).
Word Breakdown
gen-
related to birth or origin
prefix-uine
suffix indicating quality or state
suffixEnglish Dictionary