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REFERENCE

genuine

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈdʒɛnˈjuˌwaɪn// UK //dʒˈɛnjuːɪn// gen·uine General-service

adj. real and exactly what it seems to be. You use this to describe something that is not a fake or someone who is being honest about their feelings.

adj. authentic and possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin. When applied to people, it describes a sincere and honest disposition without hypocrisy.


SIMPLE

The museum confirmed that the painting is genuine.

CONTEXTUAL

She showed genuine concern for her neighbor's health by visiting him every day.

COMPLEX

Distinguishing between a genuine antique and a high-quality reproduction requires a keen eye for the subtle patinas that only centuries of oxidation can produce.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Latin genuīnus (“innate, native, natural”), from genus, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁-.

Usage

Commonly used to modify nouns like 'leather', 'interest', or 'effort'.

Pitfall

a very genuine diamonda genuine diamondWhen describing authenticity, 'genuine' is often treated as non-gradable; something is either real or it is not.

Idioms1 entry

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