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 [jen, -yoo-in], with the final syllable unstressed. Among some less educated speakers, especially older ones, genuine is commonly pronounced as [jen, -yoo-ahyn], 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.

Derived Forms

• ˈgenuineness, noun
• ˈgenuinely, adverb

Other Words From

• gen·u·ine·ly adverb
• gen·u·ine·ness noun
• non·gen·u·ine adjective
• qua·si-gen·u·ine adjective
• un·gen·u·ine 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.

Related Words

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