Authentic vs. Original — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
Authentic means genuine or true to its source, while Original refers to the first or earliest form of something.
Difference Between Authentic and Original
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Authentic typically describes something that is real, genuine, or not counterfeit. It ensures validity and confirms that the item or concept in question matches its source or origin. Original, on the other hand, primarily describes something that existed first or at the beginning, emphasizing its uniqueness or the fact that it has not been derived from something else.
An authentic work of art means that the piece is genuine and created by the artist it is attributed to, verifying its legitimacy. An original work of art means that the piece is the very first of its kind, not a reproduction or copy.
In documentation, an authentic document means it hasn't been tampered with and represents true information. However, an original document means it is the first instance or primary source of that document, not a duplicate or photocopy.
It's possible for something to be original without being authentic. For instance, a new story idea can be original, but if presented falsely as based on true events, it lacks authenticity.
Conversely, something can be authentic without being the original. A certified replica of an ancient artifact can be considered authentic in its representation, even though it isn't the original piece.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Genuine or true to its source
First or earliest form of something
Relation to Reproductions
Can be a true representation, not necessarily first
Is the initial instance, not derived from another
In Terms of Art
Verifies artist's creation
Emphasizes the first piece
In Documentation
Untampered and true information
First instance or primary source
Nuance
Validity and legitimacy
Uniqueness and unduplicated
Compare with Definitions
Authentic
Legitimate or bona fide.
She provided an authentic certificate of authenticity.
Original
The source or model from which copies are made.
This is the original mold for the statue.
Authentic
Genuine in nature or character.
His authentic love for music was palpable.
Original
A work produced by the originator.
Picasso's originals are priceless.
Authentic
Not fake or counterfeit.
The autograph was confirmed to be authentic.
Original
Present or existing from the beginning; first or earliest
The plasterwork is probably original
The original owner of the house
Authentic
Of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine
The letter is now accepted as an authentic document
Original
Created personally by a particular artist, writer, musician, etc.; not a copy
Original Rembrandts
Authentic
(of a church mode) containing notes between the final (the principal note) and the note an octave higher.
Original
Not dependent on other people's ideas; inventive or novel
A subtle and original thinker
Authentic
Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief
An authentic account by an eyewitness.
Original
The earliest form of something, from which copies may be made
One set of originals and four photocopies
The portrait may be a copy of the original
Authentic
Being so in fact; not fraudulent or counterfeit
An authentic medieval sword.
Original
An eccentric or unusual person
He was one of the true originals
Authentic
(Law) Executed in a manner so as to produce legal effectiveness
An authentic deed.
Original
Preceding all others in time; first
Who played the original Dracula?.
Authentic
Of, relating to, or being a medieval mode having a range from its final tone to the octave above it.
Original
Not derived from something else; fresh and unusual
An original play, not an adaptation.
Authentic
Of, relating to, or being a cadence with the dominant chord immediately preceding the tonic chord.
Original
Showing a marked departure from previous practice; new
A truly original approach.
Authentic
(Obsolete) Authoritative.
Original
Productive of new things or new ideas; inventive
An original mind.
Authentic
Of the same origin as claimed; genuine.
The experts confirmed it was an authentic signature.
Original
Being the source from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is made.
Authentic
Conforming to reality and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief.
The report was completely authentic.
An authentic writer; an authentic portrait; authentic information
Original
A first form or model from which others are made or developed
Later versions of the car retained key features of the original.
Authentic
Having the final as the lowest note of the mode.
Original
An authentic work of art
Bought an original, not a print.
Authentic
(obsolete) Authoritative.
Original
A work that has been composed firsthand or used to make a copy, reproduction, or translation
Kept the original but sent a photocopy to his publisher.
Authentic
Having a genuine original or authority, in opposition to that which is false, fictitious, counterfeit, or apocryphal; being what it purports to be; genuine; not of doubtful origin; real; as, an authentic paper or register.
To be avengedOn him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.
Original
A person with a creative or unusual personality.
Authentic
Authoritative.
Original
A person who is appealingly odd or curious; a character.
Authentic
Of approved authority; true; trustworthy; credible; as, an authentic writer; an authentic portrait; authentic information.
Original
(Archaic) The source from which something arises; an originator.
Authentic
Vested with all due formalities, and legally attested.
Original
(not comparable) Relating to the origin or beginning; preceding all others.
The original state of mankind;
The original laws of a country;
The original inventor of a process
Authentic
Having as immediate relation to the tonic, in distinction from plagal, which has a correspondent relation to the dominant in the octave below the tonic.
A genuine book is that which was written by the person whose name it bears, as the author of it. An authentic book is that which relates matters of fact as they really happened. A book may be genuine without being, authentic, and a book may be authentic without being genuine.
Original
(not comparable) First in a series of copies or versions.
The original manuscript contained spelling errors which were fixed in later versions.
This recording is by the original broadway cast.
Authentic
An original (book or document).
Original
(not comparable) Newly created.
Tonight we will hear an original work by one of our best composers.
Authentic
Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief;
An authentic account by an eyewitness
Reliable information
Original
(comparable) Fresh, different.
The paper contains a number of original ideas about color perception.
Authentic
Not counterfeit or copied;
An authentic signature
A bona fide manuscript
An unquestionable antique
Photographs taken in a veritable bull ring
Original
(not comparable) Pioneering.
Parker was one of the original bebop players.
Authentic
True to its source or origin.
The authentic recipe was passed down for generations.
Original
(not comparable) Having a specified place or time as its origin.
This kind of barbecue is original to North Carolina.
Authentic
Reliable in terms of information or origin.
This is an authentic account of the events.
Original
An object or other creation (e.g. narrative work) from which all later copies and variations are derived.
This manuscript is the original.
Original
A person with a unique and interesting personality or creative talent.
Original
(archaic) An eccentric person.
Original
A newly designed garment released by a fashion designer as part of a collection.
Original
A ridgeling.
Original
Pertaining to the origin or beginning; preceding all others; first in order; primitive; primary; pristine; as, the original state of man; the original laws of a country; the original inventor of a process.
His form had yet not lostAll her original brightness.
Original
Not copied, imitated, or translated; new; fresh; genuine; as, an original thought; an original process; the original text of Scripture.
Original
Having the power to suggest new thoughts or combinations of thought; inventive; as, an original genius.
Original
Before unused or unknown; new; as, a book full of original matter.
Original
Origin; commencement; source.
It hath it original from much grief.
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,Their great Original proclaim.
Original
That which precedes all others of its class; archetype; first copy; hence, an original work of art, manuscript, text, and the like, as distinguished from a copy, translation, etc.
The Scriptures may be now read in their own original.
Original
An original thinker or writer; an originator.
Men who are bad at copying, yet are good originals.
Original
A person of marked eccentricity.
Original
The natural or wild species from which a domesticated or cultivated variety has been derived; as, the wolf is thought by some to be the original of the dog, the blackthorn the original of the plum.
Original
An original creation (i.e., an audio recording) from which copies can be made
Original
An original model on which something is patterned
Original
Preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed;
The original inhabitants of the Americas
The book still has its original binding
Restored the house to its original condition
The original performance of the opera
The original cast
Retracted his original statement
Original
(of e.g. information) not secondhand or by way of something intermediary;
His work is based on only original, not secondary, sources
Original
Being or productive of something fresh and unusual; or being as first made or thought of;
A truly original approach
With original music
An original mind
Original
Not derived or copied or translated from something else;
The play is original; not an adaptation
He kept the original copy and gave her only a xerox
The translation misses much of the subtlety of the original French
Original
Existing from the beginning; first or earliest.
The original manuscript is in the museum.
Original
Fresh and unique, not derived from something else.
She always had an original take on things.
Original
Being the initial instance or version.
I prefer the original song over the remix.
Common Curiosities
Can a copy be authentic?
Yes, if it's a true and genuine representation of the original.
Is every original item also authentic?
Not necessarily. An item can be original (first of its kind) but presented or used deceitfully.
Is a certified replica considered original?
No, but it can be considered authentic if it genuinely represents the original.
Is authenticity always about items?
No, experiences, emotions, and accounts can also be authentic.
Can an authentic item be a lie?
No, being authentic means being genuine and true.
Can food be authentic?
Yes, referring to genuine preparation and ingredients traditional to a culture.
Is every authentic artwork also an original?
No, an artwork can be authentic (genuine) but not the first version (original).
What is more valuable, an authentic or original piece?
Context matters. In art, for instance, originals typically hold more value.
Do authentic items always have certificates?
Not always, but a certificate can help verify authenticity.
Can a person's thoughts be original?
Yes, if they are unique and not derived from someone else's ideas.
Can something be both authentic and original?
Yes, an item can be the first of its kind (original) and genuine (authentic).
Can a story be both original and authentic?
Yes, if it's a unique story based on true events.
Is an original idea always new?
Yes, an original idea is unique and not derived from existing concepts.
Can a movie remake be original?
Yes, in terms of its presentation or interpretation, even if it's based on an existing plot.
Does original always mean valuable?
Not necessarily, though original items often hold sentimental or monetary value.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
