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authenticity

aw-then-TISS-ih-tee /ˌɔːθɛnˈtɪsɪti/

nounC1IELTSTOEFL

neutralformal

The quality of being authentic; genuineness; in food, adhering to traditional methods and ingredients.

A highly debated term in food; what is 'authentic' to one person might be 'fusion' to another depending on the time period.

The story behind the word. From 'authentes' (one who acts with authority). In ancient times, it referred to a person who did something themselves, rather than through an intermediary. In food, it means the dish comes 'from the source.'

Word relationships

genuineness: Genuineness is used more for emotions or people; authenticity is used for objects, traditions, and records.
veracity: Veracity refers to truthfulness or accuracy of facts.

artificiality: The quality of being produced by people rather than happening naturally.
spuriousness: The quality of being false or fake.

Word family

authentic (adjective): Of undisputed origin; genuine.
authenticate (verb): To prove that something is authentic.

Collocations

strive for authenticity
lack authenticity
historical authenticity
cultural authenticity

Example sentences

"The chef's commitment to authenticity means he imports all his flour directly from Naples." A critic's review of a traditional eatery.
"Authenticity is often a moving target in a world of global migration." Discussing the difficulty of defining the term.

Memory hook

Author-ticity: The 'author' of the recipe is the original source. True to the source.

When not to use

Avoid using it to mean 'good'; a dish can be authentic (traditional) but still poorly cooked.

Fun facts

The search for 'authentic' food is a relatively modern obsession, driven by the rise of industrial, processed foods.