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.

Example Sentences

However, the developing world, which had pushed for more, had many genuine issues with the final sum.

From BBC

But it wasn't until one of his genuine suppliers started chasing him for payment that he realised he had been the victim of a sophisticated fraud.

From BBC

They knew her name, her phone number and her address and tricked her into believing they had access to her accounts, which helped convince her she was talking to a genuine bank employee.

From BBC

Calling for a commission on palliative care, Brown acknowledged that both sides in the assisted dying debate share a common concern and "genuine compassion felt for all those suffering painful deaths".

From BBC

One customer queuing for his lunch described him as a "genuine sort of bloke who spoke how it was".

From BBC

Related Words

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