Words / B2

or-THENT-ik/ɔːˈθentɪk/

Authentic means real, not fake, and true to the original: authentic documents, authentic food, authentic language in class. Real and genuine are everyday cousins; genuine often stresses honesty of feeling. Fake and counterfeit are opposites for objects, and authenticity is the noun. In speech, the real thing is enough — do not use authentic as empty praise for every café.

Meaning

Real, not false; true to the original.

Examples

• “We practised with authentic news articles.”
• “Learners need authentic listening, not only textbook dialogues.”
• “The signature did not look authentic under a magnifying glass.”

Good to know

authentic documents / language / food. Everyday: real / genuine. Noun: authenticity. Opposite: fake.

Near in meaning

genuine

New