Vocabulary
genuine
adjective·/JEN-yoo-in/
Real and true, not fake or pretended. A genuine person or feeling is exactly what it appears to be.
Genuine works for both things ("a genuine leather bag," "genuine interest") and people ("she is so genuine"). Applied to a person, it is high praise: it means no act, no performance, what you see is real. In a world full of polished surfaces, "genuine" has become one of the warmest compliments you can give. Watch the pronunciation, it ends in "in," not "ine" like "wine."
5 ways to use “genuine” in a sentence
- “She showed genuine interest in my work, not the polite kind.”
- “What I like about him is that he is completely genuine; no act.”
- “That was a genuine apology, not a "sorry you feel that way."”
- “There is genuine demand for this, not just hype.”
- “He had a genuine talent for making nervous people feel at ease.”
Now say "genuine" out loud, in your own sentence.
The fastest way to actually own a word is to use it when you speak, not just read it. Practice in TalkStride and get scored on how clearly it comes out.
Common mistakes
- Pronouncing the end like "wine." It is "JEN-yoo-in," ending in a soft "in."
- Using it for something trivial. Genuine carries weight; save it for real sincerity or authenticity.
- Confusing "genuine" (real) with "ingenuous" (innocent and naive) or "ingenious" (clever). Three different words.
Similar words, and how they differ
authentic
Authentic stresses true to an original or to oneself. Genuine stresses not fake. Very close in everyday use.
sincere
Sincere is specifically about honest feeling and intent. Genuine is broader, real in nature, not just in feeling.
real
Real is the plain word. Genuine adds the sense of "and not a counterfeit or an act."