Genuine - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT genuine /ˈdʒɛnjəwən/ /ˈdʒɛnjuɪn/ IPA guide

Genuine things are true or authentic. When you're talking about people, being genuine has to do with being sincere.

This word has to do with things and people that are true. A genuine blonde is a real blonde — no hair dye involved. A genuine friend is a real friend you can trust when the chips are down. Genuine feelings are real feelings — not fake feelings put on as a show. A genuine hundred dollar bill is the real McCoy, not a counterfeit bill. When something is the real thing, it's genuine.

Definitions of genuine

adjective not fake or counterfeit “a genuine Picasso” “genuine leather” synonyms: echt authentic, bona fide, unquestionable, veritable not counterfeit or copied attested, authenticated, documented established as genuine good, honest not forged honest-to-god, honest-to-goodness, old, sure-enough (used informally especially for emphasis) honest, honorable not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent existent, real being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory sincere open and genuine; not deceitful true consistent with fact or reality; not false see moresee less antonyms: counterfeit not genuine; imitating something superior assumed, false, fictitious, fictive, pretended, put on, sham adopted in order to deceive bad, forged reproduced fraudulently base debased; not genuine bastard, bogus, fake, phoney, phony fraudulent; having a misleading appearance inauthentic, spurious, unauthentic intended to deceive mock constituting a copy or imitation of something ostensible, ostensive represented or appearing as such; pretended pinchbeck serving as an imitation or substitute pseudo (often used in combination) not genuine but having the appearance of synthetic not genuine or natural artificial, unreal contrived by art rather than nature unreal lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria insincere lacking sincerity false not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality show more antonyms...
adjective being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something “a genuine dilemma” synonyms: actual, literal, real true consistent with fact or reality; not false
adjective not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed “genuine emotion” synonyms: true, unfeigned sincere open and genuine; not deceitful

Pronunciation US /ˈdʒɛnjəwən/ UK /ˈdʒɛnjuɪn/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Vocabulary lists containing genuine

The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2

On the SAT, all of the Reading Test questions are multiple choice and are based on reading passages that may be taken from literature, science, the social sciences, or a U.S. founding document (or a text inspired by such a document). Many of the reading comprehension questions meant to assess a student’s understanding of those passages will require students to choose words that best describe the writer’s tone or point of view, words like the 25 words you see on this list. Learn them here so when you see them in an SAT answer choice, you’ll know what they mean! Following our Roadmap to the SAT? Head back to see what else you should be learning this week.

The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

On the New SAT, all of the Reading Test questions are multiple choice and are based on reading passages that may be taken from literature, science, the social sciences, or a US founding document (or a text inspired by such a document). Many of the reading comprehension questions meant to assess a student’s understanding of those passages will require students to choose words that best describe the writer’s tone or point of view, words like the 200 words you see on this list. Learn them here so when you see them in an SAT answer choice, you’ll know what they mean! Here are all of our word lists to help you prepare for the new SAT (debuting March of 2016): The Language of the Test, Multiple-Meaning Words, and Words to Capture Tone.

The Real Deal: Synonyms for "True"

Can you handle the truth? Learn this list of words for things that are real, factual, and trustworthy. For more synonym lists, explore our Say What You Mean resources.

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