authentic
aw-THEN-tik
/ɔːˈθen.tɪk/
Of undisputed origin; genuine; made in the traditional way.
Goes beyond just 'real' to imply a connection to tradition, history, or a specific creator.
The story behind the word. From the Greek 'authentikos', meaning 'principal' or 'genuine'. This comes from 'autos' (self) and 'hentes' (doer/worker), literally meaning 'one who acts with their own authority'.
Word relationships
- genuine: Genuine means not fake; authentic means true to its origins or traditions.
- veritable: Veritable is used to emphasize that something is truly what it is said to be, often for effect.
- spurious: False or fake, especially in terms of origin or reasoning.
- counterfeit: An exact imitation of something valuable with the intent to deceive.
Commonly confused with
- original: Original means the very first one; authentic means it follows the true style or source.
Word family
- authenticity (noun): The quality of being authentic.
- authenticate (verb): To prove that something is authentic.
Collocations
- authentic document
- authentic flavor
- authentic reproduction
Example sentences
- "The restaurant serves authentic Neapolitan pizza, prepared in a wood-fired oven according to strict tradition." Describing food.
- "Travelers often seek an authentic experience, away from the crowded tourist traps." Describing an experience.
Memory hook
An 'authentic' item is 'author-itative'. Real from the source.
When not to use
Avoid using for things that are merely functional; use 'genuine' for parts or 'real' for basic facts.
Fun facts
- The 'Authentic' movement in music uses period-accurate instruments to play historical compositions.
Related words
Explore more words
genuine, artisanal, unpretentious, authenticity, sincere, tradition
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