genuine

gen-u-ine · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Truly what something is said to be; authentic; not fake or counterfeit.

  2. 2.

    Sincere and honest; free from pretense or deceit.

  3. 3.

    Having the claimed character or origin; real.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    genuine article — the real or authentic thing
  • •
    genuine mistake — an honest, unintentional error
  • •
    genuine interest — sincere curiosity or concern

Related words

Antonyms: counterfeit, fake, false, insincere
See also: authentic, genuinely, real, sincere
Synonyms: authentic, real, sincere, true

Etymology

From Latin genuinus ("native, natural, innate"), possibly from genu ("knee") referring to the Roman custom of a father acknowledging a child by placing it on his knee, or related to gignere ("to beget").