authentic

[ aw-then-tik ]

adjective

1. not false or copied; genuine; real:

   an authentic antique.

2. having an origin supported by unquestionable evidence; authenticated; verified:

   an authentic document of the Middle Ages;

   an authentic work of the old master.

3. representing one’s true nature or beliefs; true to oneself or to the person identified:

   a story told in the authentic voice of a Midwestern farmer;

   a senator’s speech that sounded authentic.

4. entitled to acceptance or belief because of agreement with known facts or experience; reliable; trustworthy:

   an authentic report on poverty in Africa.

5. Law. executed with all due formalities:

   an authentic deed.

6. Music.
   1. (of a church mode) having a range extending from the final to the octave above. Compare plagal.
   2. (of a cadence) consisting of a dominant harmony followed by a tonic.
7. Obsolete. authoritative.

authentic

/ ˌɔːθɛnˈtɪsɪtɪ; ɔːˈθɛntɪk /

adjective

1. of undisputed origin or authorship; genuine

   an authentic signature

2. accurate in representation of the facts; trustworthy; reliable

   an authentic account

3. (of a deed or other document) duly executed, any necessary legal formalities having been complied with
4. music
   1. using period instruments and historically researched scores and playing techniques in an attempt to perform a piece as it would have been played at the time it was written
   2. ( in combination )

      an authentic-instrument performance

5. See plagal
   music Compare plagal
   1. (of a mode as used in Gregorian chant) commencing on the final and ending an octave higher
   2. (of a cadence) progressing from a dominant to a tonic chord

Derived Forms

• authenticity, noun
• auˈthentically, adverb

Other Words From

• au·thenti·cal·ly adverb
• nonau·thentic adjective
• quasi-au·thentic adjective
• quasi-au·thenti·cal·ly adverb
• unau·thentic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of authentic¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Late Latin authenticus “coming from the author, genuine” (also in the neuter, as a noun: “original document, the original”), from Greek authentikós “original, primary, at first hand,” equivalent to authént(ēs) “perpetrator,” literally, “one who does things oneself” ( aut- aut- + -hentēs “doer”) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of authentic¹

C14: from Late Latin authenticus coming from the author, from Greek authentikos, from authentēs one who acts independently, from auto- + hentēs a doer

Synonym Study

Authentic, genuine, real, veritable share the sense of actuality and lack of falsehood or misrepresentation. Authentic carries the connotation of authoritative confirmation that things or people are what they are claimed or appear to be: an authentic Rembrandt sketch; an authentic smile. Genuine refers to objects or persons having the characteristics or source claimed or implied: a genuine ivory carving. Real, the most general of these terms, refers to innate or actual—as opposed to ostensible—nature or character: In real life, plans often miscarry. A real diamond will cut glass. Veritable, derived from the Latin word for truth, suggests the general truthfulness but not necessarily the literal or strict correspondence with reality of that which it describes; it is often used metaphorically: a veritable wizard of finance.

Example Sentences

Brands can gain a lot by finding ways to enable this experience in a meaningful, authentic way.

From Digiday

Many brands entered 2021 with a commitment to building more meaningful and authentic dialogue particularly with communities of color, and while the goal is laudable, brands have to be smart and sensitive if they want to avoid looking opportunistic.

From Digiday

Google wants to make sure that the information it suggests is authentic and comes from the experts in that niche.

From Search Engine Watch

That means leaning into good creative and authentic messaging on Facebook as conversations around the need for diversification have continued to heat up.

From Digiday

Our corporate funeral industry, she argues, has made us forget how to offer our loved ones an authentic sendoff.

From Freakonomics

Electric Swamp Blues How can you possibly find authentic swamp blues in Portland, Oregon?

From The Daily Beast

He often receives inquiries from sellers eager to verify that their items are authentic.

From The Daily Beast

He feared the laser-etched markings intended to make them look authentic could be toxic to patients.

From The Daily Beast

They were tired of the fare at restaurants catering to tourists and were craving something a bit more authentic.

From The Daily Beast

Want an authentic dinner with a local on your next vacation abroad, far from the overpriced tourist traps?

From The Daily Beast

A judicial record was made of all of this matter, and authentic papers with the arguments of each party.

From Project Gutenberg

My relations with the line by no means ended with the inquiry, and more about it will later on appear in this authentic history.

From Project Gutenberg

Excitement was at fever heat, and anxious hearts awaited authentic news.

From Project Gutenberg

If this ending of the anecdote is not authentic, I feel quite sure that none but a Scotchman could have invented it.

From Project Gutenberg

We are left, however, for the most part, without authentic record of the tragic scenes of Christian martyrdom.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accurate
• authoritative
• convincing
• credible
• legitimate
• original
• pure
• reliable
• true
• trustworthy