genuinely

genuinely — adverb

1. Used when a feeling, belief, or quality is real and not pretended or put on for

1.adverbB2
Definition

Used when a feeling, belief, or quality is real and not pretended or put on for show — for example, being genuinely surprised at a party, genuinely caring about a friend's problems, or genuinely believing an idea is right.

Example

Manuela was genuinely surprised when her colleagues threw her a farewell party.

genuinely + adjective (surprised)

Do you genuinely believe that the new after-school program will help the students?

genuinely + verb (believe) in question form

Common collocations
  • genuinely happy
  • genuinely sorry
  • genuinely surprised
  • genuinely believe
  • genuinely care
  • genuinely interested
  • genuinely grateful
  • genuinely want
Synonyms
  • really

    most general and neutral; works in any register, but lacks the emotional depth of 'genuinely'

  • truly

    stronger conviction than 'genuinely'; often used in solemn or formal contexts ('I am truly sorry')

  • sincerely

    focuses on honest intention rather than emotional truth; common in letters and apologies

  • authentically

    emphasizes origin and non-artificiality; used more for objects and practices than feelings ('authentically Italian')

Antonyms
  • falsely

    direct opposite — acting in a way that is not real or sincere

  • insincerely

    focuses on pretending or saying something without meaning it

Grammar Patterns

genuinely + adjective (happy/sorry/surprised)

genuinely + verb (believe/care/want)

Usage Note

Commonly modifies emotional adjectives (happy, sorry, surprised, grateful, touched) and attitudinal verbs (believe, care, want, hope, feel). Less natural with verbs describing physical events ('She genuinely arrived late' sounds odd — use 'really' or 'honestly' for factual statements). In informal spoken replies, can stand alone for emphasis: 'He offered to help.' 'Genuinely?'

Common Mistakes

I genuinely finished my homework at 6 pm.
I actually / really finished my homework at 6 pm.
'genuinely' describes feelings and sincerity; use 'actually' or 'really' for factual events.
Genuinely, I think you should see a doctor.
Honestly, I think you should see a doctor.
'genuinely' as a sentence-initial discourse marker ('Genuinely, ...') is unnatural; use 'honestly' or 'to be honest' for that position.

Word family

  • genuine
    adjectiveB2
  • genuineness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four adverbs describe closeness to truth or reality, but differ in emphasis. Really is the most general and informal — it can intensify almost any statement ('I really like it'). Truly carries stronger conviction and is slightly more formal, often used in emotional or solemn declarations ('I am truly grateful'). Sincerely focuses on honest intention, especially regarding what someone says or promises; it is common in formal closings and apologies ('I sincerely apologize'). Authentically emphasizes origin and non-artificiality, applying mainly to things made or presented without imitation ('an authentically Mexican recipe'). Genuinely sits between really and truly — it signals that a feeling or opinion is both real and heartfelt, not merely polite or performative. For example: 'She was not just being polite but genuinely interested in his story' — here really sounds weaker, while truly feels more intense.

really ↗truly ↗sincerely ↗authentically

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • genuinely happy
  • genuinely sorry
  • genuinely surprised
  • genuinely believe
  • genuinely care
  • genuinely interested
  • genuinely grateful
  • genuinely want
  • genuinely hope

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed from 'genuine' (meaning 'real, natural, not artificial') + the adverbial suffix '-ly'. The adjective 'genuine' comes from Latin 'genuinus', which originally meant 'native, inborn, natural'. Over time the meaning shifted from 'something you are born with' to 'something that is what it appears to be — authentic and not fake.'