Word
authenticity
Phoneticsau·then·tic·i·ty, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɔθənˈtɪsɪti/
UK/ɔːθɪntˈɪsɪti/
Definitions
01genuine quality
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being real or true, and not a copy or a lie.
n. the quality of being genuine or not corrupted from the original; having the same origin or attribution as claimed.
Español:autenticidad
“The museum checked the authenticity of the painting before buying it.”
“Art historians spent months verifying the authenticity of the manuscript, comparing the ink and paper to other documents from the same period.”
Usage
Usually uncountable; often followed by the preposition 'of'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02being true to oneself
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the quality of being honest about your own personality and feelings.
n. the degree to which an individual's actions are congruent with their beliefs and desires, despite external pressures.
“People liked the politician because of her authenticity and direct way of speaking.”
“In modern leadership theory, authenticity is considered a vital trait for building trust and long-term engagement within a team.”
Teaching tip
This sense is very common in modern psychology and business contexts; it refers to 'being yourself' rather than just 'being real'.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Announcing the change , external , Spotify says "true artist-fan connection can only be built on a foundation of trust and authenticity".” “Spotify said: “True artist-fan connection can only be built on a foundation of trust and authenticity.” “Vinted told the BBC it offered an optional verification service for selected designer items, during which specialist teams assessed their authenticity offline.” “The Mohawk chief also performed in the shows, granting an apparent authenticity to The Song of Hiawatha’s dramaturgy.” Etymology
From authentic + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/authenticity
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0