Word
genuinely
Phoneticsgen·uine·ly
US/ˈdʒɛnˈjuˌwaɪnɫi/
UK/dʒˈɛnjuːɪnli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. truly or honestly. You use this to show that a feeling or quality is real and not fake.
adv. in a truthful, sincere, or authentic manner. Often used as an intensifier to emphasize the sincerity of an emotion or the authenticity of a quality.
Examples
“I am genuinely happy for your success.”
“The manager was genuinely surprised when the entire team stayed late to help him finish the project.”
“While many companies claim to prioritize sustainability, few are genuinely committed to restructuring their entire supply chain to minimize environmental impact.”
Examples
simple
“I am genuinely happy for your success.”
contextual
“The manager was genuinely surprised when the entire team stayed late to help him finish the project.”
complex
“While many companies claim to prioritize sustainability, few are genuinely committed to restructuring their entire supply chain to minimize environmental impact.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “genuinely” in context.
Verb
01. genuinely believe that-clause
“I genuinely believe that we can find a solution if we work together.”
adv + verb
02. genuinely care about
“It was clear from her actions that she genuinely cared about the environment.”
adv + verb
03. genuinely want to
“He genuinely wants to help you improve your English skills.”
adv + verb
Adjective
04. genuinely concerned
“The doctor was genuinely concerned about the patient's sudden weight loss.”
adv + adj
05. genuinely interested
“The professor seemed genuinely interested in the student's research proposal.”
adv + adj
06. genuinely sorry
“He looked genuinely sorry for the mistake he had made during the presentation.”
adv + adj
07. genuinely surprised
“She was genuinely surprised when she won the award for best employee.”
adv + adj
Usage
Commonly functions as a degree adverb to modify adjectives; typically placed before the adjective or the main verb.
Pitfall
He is a genuinely person.
He is a genuine person.
Learners often use the adverb 'genuinely' where the adjective 'genuine' is required to modify a noun.
Real-World Examples
“It means giving children enough freedom to have a go while being there when they genuinely need help.” “He said even though the elections were "genuinely competitive" the conditions in which the candidates competed were "uneven".” Etymology
From genuine + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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