Use genuinely before adjectives such as new, difficult, funny, or dangerous when the quality is real rather than overstated.
Use genuinely before adjectives such as new, difficult, funny, or dangerous when the quality is real rather than overstated.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| It was a genuinely problem. | It was a genuine problem. |
| The plan was genuine difficult. | The plan was genuinely difficult. |
| She bought a genuinely leather bag. | She bought a genuine leather bag. |
| The film was funny genuinely. | The film was genuinely funny. |
Use genuinely with feelings, apologies, care, interest, and belief when the attitude is sincere rather than polite or performed.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She was genuinely after the argument. | She was genuinely sorry after the argument. |
| He is a genuinely. | He is genuine. |
| I have a genuinely friend. | I have a genuine friend. |
| She apologized genuine. | She apologized genuinely. |
Use genuinely for either real fact or sincere feeling, then let the following adjective or verb make the intended sense clear.
Genuinely friend and she is genuinely use the adverb where an adjective or a completed phrase is needed.
Formed from genuine and -ly. Genuine is recorded from the 1590s, from Latin genuinus, meaning native or innate, and later developed the sense of authentic or really from the stated source.
What does genuinely mean?
Genuinely means truly or actually, and it can also mean sincerely when it describes feelings, beliefs, or care.
Is genuinely an adverb?
Yes. Genuinely is an adverb, so it modifies verbs, adjectives, or whole statements.
What is the difference between genuinely and genuine?
Genuine is an adjective before nouns, as in genuine leather. Genuinely is the adverb, as in genuinely difficult.
Can genuinely mean really?
Yes. Genuinely often means really or truly, especially before adjectives such as funny, new, hard, or useful.
Can genuinely mean sincerely?
Yes. In phrases such as genuinely sorry or genuinely grateful, it means sincerely and honestly felt.
Where does genuinely go in a sentence?
Genuinely usually comes before the verb or adjective it modifies, as in genuinely cares or genuinely surprising.
What are synonyms for genuinely?
Synonyms include truly, really, actually, sincerely, honestly, and authentically.
What is the origin of genuinely?
Genuinely is formed from genuine plus -ly. Genuine comes through Latin genuinus, meaning native or innate.