Genuine vs. Authentic — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Genuine refers to being truly what something is said to be, while authentic pertains to being of undisputed origin or verified as real.
Difference Between Genuine and Authentic
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Genuine and authentic are two terms often used interchangeably but possess subtle differences. When something is described as genuine, it signifies that it is true to its nature, free from pretense, affectation, or deceit. For instance, genuine leather refers to real leather, not synthetic or faux versions.
Authentic, conversely, emphasizes the originality or truthfulness of origins and not being a copy or false representation. For example, an authentic painting by Van Gogh means the artwork was truly painted by him, not by someone else or being a mere imitation. Authenticity carries a weight of historical or provenanced verification.
In emotional or human contexts, genuine usually implies sincerity and honesty. A person's genuine smile reflects their true feelings. On the other hand, authentic in personal contexts might refer to someone staying true to their identity, values, or beliefs, even when facing opposition or societal pressure.
Interestingly, while both terms relate to truthfulness, their usage may differ based on context. A piece of jewelry can be both genuine (made of real gold) and authentic (an original design by a renowned jeweler). Yet, not all genuine items are authentic, and not all authentic items have to be genuine in every context.
Comparison Chart
Definition
True to its nature
Verified as real or of undisputed origin
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Emphasis
Honesty and reality
Originality and provenance
Application
Broader, often materials
Often artworks, historical items, personal identity
Contextual usage
Feelings, sincerity, materials
History, culture, artworks, identity
Example
Genuine leather
Authentic Picasso painting
Compare with Definitions
Genuine
Free from pretense or deceit.
Her genuine concern for the environment was evident in her actions.
Authentic
Being true to one's own character.
His music is authentic, reflecting his life experiences.
Genuine
Truly what something is said to be.
The purse is made of genuine leather.
Authentic
Of undisputed origin; not a copy.
They showcased an authentic artifact from ancient Greece.
Genuine
Sincere; honest.
He expressed genuine remorse for his actions.
Authentic
Legitimate or genuine in origin.
The dish offers an authentic taste of Italian cuisine.
Genuine
Actual, real, or true.
Her genuine happiness was infectious.
Authentic
Verified as real or true.
The authentic document dates back to the 15th century.
Genuine
Not being a counterfeit or imitation.
The document bore a genuine signature.
Authentic
Reliable; trustworthy in terms of being real.
The authentic report was accepted by all.
Genuine
Actually possessing the alleged or apparent attribute or character
Genuine leather.
Authentic
Of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine
The letter is now accepted as an authentic document
Genuine
Not spurious or counterfeit; authentic
Tests proved that the letter was genuine, and not a forgery.
Authentic
(of a church mode) containing notes between the final (the principal note) and the note an octave higher.
Genuine
Honestly felt or experienced
Genuine devotion.
Authentic
Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief
An authentic account by an eyewitness.
Genuine
Actual; real
A genuine dilemma.
Authentic
Being so in fact; not fraudulent or counterfeit
An authentic medieval sword.
Genuine
Free from hypocrisy or dishonesty; sincere
Is he being genuine in making these compliments?.
Authentic
(Law) Executed in a manner so as to produce legal effectiveness
An authentic deed.
Genuine
Being of pure or original stock
A genuine Hawaiian.
Authentic
Of, relating to, or being a medieval mode having a range from its final tone to the octave above it.
Genuine
Belonging to, or proceeding from the original stock; native
Authentic
Of, relating to, or being a cadence with the dominant chord immediately preceding the tonic chord.
Genuine
Not counterfeit, spurious, false, or adulterated
A genuine text;
A genuine production;
Genuine materials; genuine friendship
Authentic
(Obsolete) Authoritative.
Genuine
Belonging to, or proceeding from, the original stock; native;
The evidence, both internal and external, against the genuineness of these letters, is overwhelming.
Authentic
Of the same origin as claimed; genuine.
The experts confirmed it was an authentic signature.
Genuine
Not fake or counterfeit;
A genuine Picasso
Genuine leather
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
Genuine
Not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed;
Genuine emotion
Her interest in people was unfeigned
True grief
Authentic
Having the final as the lowest note of the mode.
Genuine
Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something;
Her actual motive
A literal solitude like a desert
A genuine dilemma
Authentic
(obsolete) Authoritative.
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.
Authentic
Authoritative.
Authentic
Of approved authority; true; trustworthy; credible; as, an authentic writer; an authentic portrait; authentic information.
Authentic
Vested with all due formalities, and legally attested.
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.
Authentic
An original (book or document).
Authentic
Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief;
An authentic account by an eyewitness
Reliable information
Authentic
Not counterfeit or copied;
An authentic signature
A bona fide manuscript
An unquestionable antique
Photographs taken in a veritable bull ring
Common Curiosities
Are genuine and authentic synonyms?
While similar, they have nuances; genuine stresses being real, while authentic emphasizes verified origin.
Is genuine leather always of high quality?
No, genuine leather is real, but it's not always the highest leather grade.
Can feelings be described as authentic?
While feelings are typically described as genuine, someone true to their feelings can be called authentic.
How can I verify if an artwork is authentic?
Expert appraisals or provenance checks can help verify authenticity.
Can an item be genuine but not authentic?
Yes, a genuine diamond can be set in a ring that's not an authentic brand.
Does authentic always mean old or historical?
No, it means verified as real, regardless of age.
Can a reproduction be genuine?
A reproduction can be genuine in materials but not authentic in origin.
Does genuine always mean "good" quality?
No, it means real or sincere but not necessarily of high quality.
Can someone's personality be described as genuine?
Yes, it means the person is sincere and without pretense.
Is every genuine article also authentic?
Not necessarily. An article may be genuine (real) but not authentic (original or of verified origin).
Why is authenticity valued in culture?
Authenticity signifies originality and preserves cultural and historical integrity.
Is authenticity important in personal branding?
Yes, it helps in building trust and a true representation of oneself.
How do authenticity certificates work?
They are issued by experts or authorities verifying an item's provenance or genuineness.
Can products be marketed as both genuine and authentic?
Yes, a product can be genuine in material and authentic in design or origin.
Can a story or narrative be genuine or authentic?
A story can be genuine in emotion or authentic in its representation of facts or culture.
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Written 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.
