adjective

authentic

aw-THEN-tik/ɔːˈθentɪk/

Real or true to its claimed origin.

The cut fruit is an authentic orange beside a plastic imitation.

A genuine orange cut open beside an unmistakable hollow plastic imitation: juicy segmented flesh and a naturally irregular peel contrast with a thin molded shell and visible manufacturing seam.

Etymology

authGreekself

+entGreekdoer

+icGreekrelating to

“Self” and “doer” combine in a word for people acting on their own authority. The related adjective meant “original” or “genuine,” connecting independent authority with something accepted as real.

In context

The Psyche Room10:06

The behavior of an authentic non-participant is guided almost exclusively by true internal attitudes, deep personal values

THE TRUTH About Why 99% of People Who Hate Trends Are Still Being Psychologically Manipulated

More examples

Experts confirmed that the signature was authentic.
She wanted an authentic account from someone who was there.
The restoration preserved the building's authentic details.

Forms

authentic

authenticity noun — the quality of being genuine

authenticate verb — establish that something is genuine

Similar words

genuine: Truly what it claims to be.
original: The first version rather than a later copy, which can still be authentic in some contexts.