genuine article: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, sometimes humorous
Quick answer
What does “genuine article” mean?
A person or thing that is the real, original, or authentic example of something, not an imitation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that is the real, original, or authentic example of something, not an imitation.
A person who perfectly embodies a particular quality or character; something that is unquestionably the best or most typical example of its kind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both varieties. Potentially slightly more established in UK English due to historical auction house culture, but widely understood and used in both.
Connotations
Often carries a warm, approving, or slightly whimsical connotation. It can be used with affectionate irony.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both. More common in spoken English than formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “genuine article” in a Sentence
[be/consider/regard as] + the genuine article[Noun Phrase] + is + the genuine articleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “genuine article” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable - the phrase is nominal.)
American English
- (Not applicable - the phrase is nominal.)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable.)
American English
- (Not applicable.)
adjective
British English
- (The phrase functions as a noun phrase, not an adjective. 'Genuine' alone is the adjective.)
American English
- (The phrase functions as a noun phrase, not an adjective. 'Genuine' alone is the adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare in formal business. Might be used informally to describe an entrepreneur with an exceptionally authentic vision or product.
Academic
Very rare, except perhaps in historical or sociological discussions about authenticity.
Everyday
Most common context. Used to describe people (e.g., a kind person, a hard worker) or occasionally objects of proven authenticity.
Technical
Used in antiques, art authentication, and collecting to distinguish an original from a forgery or reproduction.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “genuine article”
- Using it to mean simply "a real article" (e.g., a newspaper piece).
- Using it without the definite article 'the' (e.g., "He is genuine article"). It is almost always "THE genuine article."
- Confusing it with 'the real deal,' which is more common but slightly less idiomatic/phrasal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its origin is in antiques/collecting, its most common modern use is figurative, describing people with authentic qualities (e.g., 'a genuine article of a friend').
Almost never. It's a fixed phrase: 'THE genuine article.' Omitting 'the' sounds incorrect and unnatural.
They are very close synonyms. 'The genuine article' can sound slightly more idiomatic or whimsical, while 'the real deal' is more contemporary and direct. They are often interchangeable.
It is informal to neutral. It's fine in conversation, journalism, and informal writing, but would be unusual in highly formal academic or legal documents.
A person or thing that is the real, original, or authentic example of something, not an imitation.
Genuine article: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdʒenjuɪn ˈɑːtɪk(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdʒɛnjʊwən ˈɑːrtɪk(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The genuine article (itself is the idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an ART AUCTION where a painting is labelled "GENUINE ARTICLE" with a gold seal. It's not a copy; it's the real, valuable, original painting.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHENTICITY IS A SEAL OF APPROVAL / A PERSON IS AN AUTHENTIC OBJECT
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'the genuine article' used CORRECTLY?