Authentic vs. Real — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
Authentic involves genuine origins and adherence to original standards, emphasizing credibility, while real refers to the actual existence or reality of something, without pretense.
Difference Between Authentic and Real
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Authenticity is about being true to one's origins or commitments. For example, an authentic artifact is one that is genuinely from the period it claims to be, with verifiable origins and characteristics that match historical records. On the other hand, something real simply exists in the physical or factual world, without necessarily having a background or provenance that needs verification.
An authentic experience or product is one that is not only genuine but also delivers on its promise of quality or uniqueness, often created or presented with a certain level of craftsmanship or adherence to original designs. Real, however, describes anything that is not artificial, fake, or imaginary, focusing more on the state of existence rather than the quality of that existence.
In terms of personal interactions, an authentic person is someone who acts in accordance with their true self, without pretense or imitation. This includes honesty in expression and actions, reflecting genuine feelings and beliefs. Conversely, a real person can simply mean someone or something that is not fictional or a figment of imagination, without delving into the nuances of character or integrity.
Authenticity often carries a value judgment, suggesting a positive attribute associated with originality and sincerity. In contrast, being real doesn't inherently suggest a positive or negative quality; it merely indicates presence or existence.
Cultural products, like food or music, can be considered authentic when they faithfully adhere to traditional recipes or styles, reflecting their origins and cultural significance. Real food or music, while it exists tangibly, may not necessarily adhere to any traditional or original standards, focusing instead on the basic criterion of existence.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Genuine, original, and true to its origins or standards.
Existing in fact or reality, not imitation.
Emphasis
Quality, origins, and sincerity.
Existence or factuality.
Value Judgment
Often positive, implying desirability.
Neutral, focusing on existence.
Application in Products
Refers to items made with traditional craftsmanship or original designs.
Describes items that are not fake or synthetic.
Personal Characteristics
Implies honesty, integrity, and being true to oneself.
Suggests a distinction from fictional or hypothetical entities.
Compare with Definitions
Authentic
True to its origins.
An authentic Roman coin is a prized possession for collectors.
Real
Not artificial or synthetic.
Real leather is more durable than faux materials.
Authentic
Adhering to original designs or standards.
The museum only displays authentic artifacts.
Real
Genuine, but with emphasis on existence.
The fear he felt was very real.
Authentic
Representing one's true nature.
Her authentic self shines through her music.
Real
Being an actual thing or event.
The threat was real, prompting an immediate response.
Authentic
Made or done in the traditional way.
Authentic Italian pizza uses a wood-fired oven.
Real
True, without pretense.
Her concern for the environment is real.
Authentic
Being honest and genuine.
His authentic apology resonated with everyone.
Real
Existing in fact, not imaginary.
Dragons are not real animals.
Authentic
Of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine
The letter is now accepted as an authentic document
Real
Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed
Julius Caesar was a real person
Her many illnesses, real and imaginary
Authentic
(of a church mode) containing notes between the final (the principal note) and the note an octave higher.
Real
(of a thing) not imitation or artificial; genuine
The earring was presumably real gold
Authentic
Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief
An authentic account by an eyewitness.
Real
Complete; utter (used for emphasis)
The tour turned out to be a real disaster
Authentic
Being so in fact; not fraudulent or counterfeit
An authentic medieval sword.
Real
Adjusted for changes in the value of money; assessed by purchasing power
Real incomes had fallen by 30 per cent
An increase in real terms of 11.6 per cent
Authentic
(Law) Executed in a manner so as to produce legal effectiveness
An authentic deed.
Real
(of a number or quantity) having no imaginary part.
Authentic
Of, relating to, or being a medieval mode having a range from its final tone to the octave above it.
Real
(of an image) of a kind in which the light that forms it actually passes through it; not virtual.
Authentic
Of, relating to, or being a cadence with the dominant chord immediately preceding the tonic chord.
Real
Really; very
My head hurts real bad
Authentic
(Obsolete) Authoritative.
Real
The basic monetary unit of Brazil since 1994, equal to 100 centavos.
Authentic
Of the same origin as claimed; genuine.
The experts confirmed it was an authentic signature.
Real
Being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verifiable existence
Real objects.
A real illness.
Authentic
Conforming to reality and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief.
The report was completely authentic.
An authentic writer; an authentic portrait; authentic information
Real
True and actual; not imaginary, alleged, or ideal
Real people, not ghosts.
A film based on real life.
Authentic
Having the final as the lowest note of the mode.
Real
Of or founded on practical matters and concerns
A recent graduate experiencing the real world for the first time.
Authentic
(obsolete) Authoritative.
Real
Genuine and authentic; not artificial or spurious
Real mink.
Real humility.
Authentic
Having a genuine original or authority, in opposition to that which is false, fictitious, counterfeit, or apocryphal; being what it purports to be; genuine; not of doubtful origin; real; as, an authentic paper or register.
To be avengedOn him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.
Real
Being no less than what is stated; worthy of the name
A real friend.
Authentic
Authoritative.
Real
Free of pretense, falsehood, or affectation
Tourists hoping for a real experience on the guided tour.
Authentic
Of approved authority; true; trustworthy; credible; as, an authentic writer; an authentic portrait; authentic information.
Real
Not to be taken lightly; serious
In real trouble.
Authentic
Vested with all due formalities, and legally attested.
Real
(Philosophy) Existing objectively in the world regardless of subjectivity or conventions of thought or language.
Authentic
Having as immediate relation to the tonic, in distinction from plagal, which has a correspondent relation to the dominant in the octave below the tonic.
A genuine book is that which was written by the person whose name it bears, as the author of it. An authentic book is that which relates matters of fact as they really happened. A book may be genuine without being, authentic, and a book may be authentic without being genuine.
Real
Relating to, being, or having value reckoned by actual purchasing power
Real income.
Real growth.
Authentic
An original (book or document).
Real
(Physics) Of, relating to, or being an image formed by light rays that converge in space.
Authentic
Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief;
An authentic account by an eyewitness
Reliable information
Real
(Mathematics) Of, relating to, or being a real number.
Authentic
Not counterfeit or copied;
An authentic signature
A bona fide manuscript
An unquestionable antique
Photographs taken in a veritable bull ring
Real
(Law) Of or relating to stationary or fixed property, such as buildings or land.
Real
Very
I'm real sorry about that.
Real
A thing or whole having actual existence. Often used with the
Theories beyond the realm of the real.
Real
(Mathematics) A real number.
Real
A silver coin formerly used in Spain and Latin America.
Real
A unit of currency formerly used in Portugal.
Real
See Table at currency.
Real
True, genuine, not merely nominal or apparent.
Real
Genuine, not artificial, counterfeit, or fake.
This is real leather.
Real
Genuine, unfeigned, sincere.
These are real tears!
Real
Actually being, existing, or occurring; not fictitious or imaginary.
A description of real life
Real
That has objective, physical existence.
No one has ever seen a real unicorn.
Real
(economics) Having been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation; measured in purchasing power contrast nominal.
My dad calculated my family's real consumption per month.
What is the real GNP of this polity?
Real
(economics) Relating to the result of the actions of rational agents; relating to neoclassical economic models as opposed to Keynesian models.
Real
Being either a rational number, or the limit of a convergent infinite sequence of rational numbers: being one of a set of numbers with a one-to-one correspondence to the points on a line.
Real
(legal) Relating to immovable tangible property.
Real estate;
Real property
Real
Absolute, complete, utter.
This is a real problem.
Real
(slang) Signifying meritorious qualities or actions especially as regard the enjoyment of life, prowess at sports, or success wooing potential partners.
I'm keeping it real.
Real
Really, very.
When I told him the truth, he got real mad.
Real
A commodity; see realty.
Real
(grammar) One of the three genders that the common gender can be separated into in the Scandinavian languages.
Real
(mathematics) A real number.
Real
(obsolete) A realist.
Real
Former unit of currency of Spain and Spain's colonies.
Real
A coin worth one real.
Real
A unit of currency used in Portugal and its colonies from 1430 until 1911, and in Brazil from 1790 until 1942.
Real
A coin worth one real.
Real
A unit of currency used in Brazil since 1994. Symbol: R$.
Real
A coin worth one real.
Real
A former small Spanish silver coin; also, a denomination of money of account, formerly the unit of the Spanish monetary system.
Real
A realist.
Real
Royal; regal; kingly.
Real
Actually being or existing; not fictitious or imaginary; as, a description of real life.
Whereat I waked, and foundBefore mine eyes all real, as the dreamHad lively shadowed.
Real
True; genuine; not artificial, counterfeit, or factitious; often opposed to ostensible; as, the real reason; real Madeira wine; real ginger.
Whose perfection far excelledHers in all real dignity.
Real
Relating to things, not to persons.
Many are perfect in men's humors that are not greatly capable of the real part of business.
Real
Having an assignable arithmetical or numerical value or meaning; not imaginary.
Real
Pertaining to things fixed, permanent, or immovable, as to lands and tenements; as, real property, in distinction from personal or movable property.
For he that but conceives a crime in thought,Contracts the danger of an actual fault.
Our simple ideas are all real; all agree to the reality of things.
Real
Any rational or irrational number
Real
An old small silver Spanish coin
Real
Being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory;
Real objects
Real people; not ghosts
A film based on real life
A real illness
Real humility
Life is real! Life is earnest!
Real
No less than what is stated; worthy of the name;
The real reason
Real war
A real friend
A real woman
Meat and potatoes--I call that a real meal
It's time he had a real job
It's no penny-ante job--he's making real money
Real
Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something;
Her actual motive
A literal solitude like a desert
A genuine dilemma
Real
Not synthetic or spurious; of real or natural origin;
Real mink
True gold
Real
Not to be taken lightly;
Statistics demonstrate that poverty and unemployment are very real problems
To the man sleeping regularly in doorways homelessness is real
Real
Possible to be treated as fact;
Tangible evidence
His brief time as Prime Minister brought few real benefits to the poor
Real
Being value measured in terms of purchasing power;
Real prices
Real income
Real wages
Real
Having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary;
The substantial world
A mere dream, neither substantial nor practical
Most ponderous and substantial things
Real
(of property) fixed or immovable;
Real property consists of land and buildings; real estate
Real
Coinciding with reality;
Perceptual error...has a surprising resemblance to veridical perception
Real
Founded on practical matters;
A recent graduate experiencing the real world for the first time
Real
Used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal;
She was very gifted
He played very well
A really enjoyable evening
I'm real sorry about it
A rattling good yarn
Common Curiosities
How is real different from authentic?
Real emphasizes actual existence or factuality, while authentic focuses on being true to origins, standards, or traditions.
Why is authenticity important?
Authenticity is valued for its sincerity, originality, and connection to traditions or original standards.
Can a replica be considered real?
A replica is real in the sense that it exists, but it is not authentic because it's a copy of the original.
Can digital products be authentic?
Yes, digital products can be authentic if they originate from genuine sources and adhere to the creator's original standards or intentions.
What does it mean for a person to be authentic?
An authentic person behaves in a way that is true to their own personality, spirit, or character, without pretense.
Can something be real but not authentic?
Yes, an item can be real (exist in fact) without being authentic (true to its original form or standards).
Is authenticity subjective?
While some aspects of authenticity can be objectively verified, perceptions of authenticity can also be influenced by personal or cultural views.
What makes something authentic?
Authenticity involves originality, genuine origins, and adherence to established standards or traditions.
Is all authentic art valuable?
While authenticity contributes to value, not all authentic art is considered valuable; other factors like artistic merit and demand play roles.
What is an example of something that is authentic?
An authentic piece of artwork is one created by the original artist, not a reproduction.
How does authenticity impact consumer choices?
Consumers often seek authentic products for their perceived higher quality, originality, and connection to tradition or cultural heritage.
What role does authenticity play in personal relationships?
Authenticity in personal relationships is crucial for trust, as it reflects honesty and genuine expression.
How do authenticity and reality affect value?
Authentic items often hold higher value due to their originality and connection to traditions, while the realness of an item ensures it is not fake or imaginary.
What is the importance of being real?
Being real ensures the existence or presence of something, which is foundational before other values, like authenticity, can be considered.
How is authenticity verified?
Authenticity can be verified through provenance, historical records, or characteristics that match known standards or origins.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
