# authenticity

/ˌɔθənˈtɪsɪti/ (US) · /ɔːθɪntˈɪsɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/authenticity
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. genuine quality

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being real or true, and not a copy or a lie.

For teachers: the quality of being genuine or not corrupted from the original; having the same origin or attribution as claimed.

- 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'.

### 2. being true to oneself

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the quality of being honest about your own personality and feelings.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The expert checked the painting for authenticity.
- Travelers often seek out local restaurants that offer cultural authenticity rather than those designed for tourists.
- In an era of digital manipulation, the authenticity of photographic evidence is no longer assumed, requiring forensic verification of metadata and pixel consistency.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.