Genuine vs. Real — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 20, 2024
Genuine usually implies authenticity supported by emotional or traditional value, while real means actual existence or factuality without imitation.
Difference Between Genuine and Real
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Genuine often describes items or emotions validated by quality or originality, emphasizing authenticity. Whereas real focuses more on the tangible existence of something, ensuring that it is not fabricated or imaginary. For instance, a genuine smile is one that is sincere and heartfelt, reflecting true feelings, while a real object is something that physically exists and is not a figment of imagination or a fake.
In the context of products, genuine usually refers to materials or items that are true to their claimed nature or origin. For example, genuine leather means the product is made from real animal skin. On the other hand, when describing objects as real, it indicates they are not replicas or simulations, like a real diamond versus a synthetic one.
Emotionally, people are often described as genuine when they are honest, transparent, and true to themselves, which carries a positive connotation. On the other hand, real in emotional contexts can simply refer to the fact that genuine feelings are being experienced, without any pretense or artificiality.
In legal or formal documents, genuine is used to describe signatures or artworks that are original and not forgeries. Whereas real is used to classify tangible assets and properties, emphasizing their material existence and legal recognition.
Cultural products like folklore might be described as genuine if they are faithfully preserved and transmitted through generations, maintaining their original form. Meanwhile, cultural practices or artifacts are termed real when they are authentically upheld or practiced, without alteration or loss of original meanings.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Authentic, not counterfeit
Existing in fact, not imagined
Usage in context
Emphasizes authenticity
Emphasizes actual existence
Common in
Artworks, emotions, products
Objects, phenomena, properties
Emotional connotation
Often positive, implies sincerity
Neutral, factual
Legal application
Signatures, documents
Properties, tangible assets
Compare with Definitions
Genuine
Being of authentic origin or authorship.
They traded in genuine antique furniture.
Real
Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact.
Dinosaurs were real animals that once roamed the earth.
Genuine
Corresponding to acknowledged standards.
Genuine leather goods are more durable.
Real
Serious and significant.
The discussion had real consequences for everyone involved.
Genuine
Truly what something is said to be. authentic.
The museum displayed a genuine Van Gogh painting.
Real
Not imaginary, fraudulent, or illusory.
The threat was real and immediate.
Genuine
Sincere. honest in intention.
Her apology was genuine, reflecting her remorse.
Real
True to life. realistic.
The movie portrays the events in a real and raw manner.
Genuine
Free from pretense or deceit.
He gave a genuine compliment that made her day.
Real
Genuine and authentic.
The artifact is real, confirmed by carbon dating.
Genuine
Actually possessing the alleged or apparent attribute or character
Genuine leather.
Real
Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed
Julius Caesar was a real person
Her many illnesses, real and imaginary
Genuine
Not spurious or counterfeit; authentic
Tests proved that the letter was genuine, and not a forgery.
Real
(of a thing) not imitation or artificial; genuine
The earring was presumably real gold
Genuine
Honestly felt or experienced
Genuine devotion.
Real
Complete; utter (used for emphasis)
The tour turned out to be a real disaster
Genuine
Actual; real
A genuine dilemma.
Real
Adjusted for changes in the value of money; assessed by purchasing power
Real incomes had fallen by 30 per cent
An increase in real terms of 11.6 per cent
Genuine
Free from hypocrisy or dishonesty; sincere
Is he being genuine in making these compliments?.
Real
(of a number or quantity) having no imaginary part.
Genuine
Being of pure or original stock
A genuine Hawaiian.
Real
(of an image) of a kind in which the light that forms it actually passes through it; not virtual.
Genuine
Belonging to, or proceeding from the original stock; native
Real
Really; very
My head hurts real bad
Genuine
Belonging to, or proceeding from, the original stock; native;
The evidence, both internal and external, against the genuineness of these letters, is overwhelming.
Real
The basic monetary unit of Brazil since 1994, equal to 100 centavos.
Genuine
Not fake or counterfeit;
A genuine Picasso
Genuine leather
Real
Being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verifiable existence
Real objects.
A real illness.
Genuine
Not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed;
Genuine emotion
Her interest in people was unfeigned
True grief
Real
True and actual; not imaginary, alleged, or ideal
Real people, not ghosts.
A film based on real life.
Genuine
Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something;
Her actual motive
A literal solitude like a desert
A genuine dilemma
Real
Of or founded on practical matters and concerns
A recent graduate experiencing the real world for the first time.
Real
Genuine and authentic; not artificial or spurious
Real mink.
Real humility.
Real
Being no less than what is stated; worthy of the name
A real friend.
Real
Free of pretense, falsehood, or affectation
Tourists hoping for a real experience on the guided tour.
Real
Not to be taken lightly; serious
In real trouble.
Real
(Philosophy) Existing objectively in the world regardless of subjectivity or conventions of thought or language.
Real
Relating to, being, or having value reckoned by actual purchasing power
Real income.
Real growth.
Real
(Physics) Of, relating to, or being an image formed by light rays that converge in space.
Real
(Mathematics) Of, relating to, or being a real number.
Real
(Law) Of or relating to stationary or fixed property, such as buildings or land.
Real
Very
I'm real sorry about that.
Real
A thing or whole having actual existence. Often used with the
Theories beyond the realm of the real.
Real
(Mathematics) A real number.
Real
A silver coin formerly used in Spain and Latin America.
Real
A unit of currency formerly used in Portugal.
Real
See Table at currency.
Real
True, genuine, not merely nominal or apparent.
Real
Genuine, not artificial, counterfeit, or fake.
This is real leather.
Real
Genuine, unfeigned, sincere.
These are real tears!
Real
Actually being, existing, or occurring; not fictitious or imaginary.
A description of real life
Real
That has objective, physical existence.
No one has ever seen a real unicorn.
Real
(economics) Having been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation; measured in purchasing power contrast nominal.
My dad calculated my family's real consumption per month.
What is the real GNP of this polity?
Real
(economics) Relating to the result of the actions of rational agents; relating to neoclassical economic models as opposed to Keynesian models.
Real
Being either a rational number, or the limit of a convergent infinite sequence of rational numbers: being one of a set of numbers with a one-to-one correspondence to the points on a line.
Real
(legal) Relating to immovable tangible property.
Real estate;
Real property
Real
Absolute, complete, utter.
This is a real problem.
Real
(slang) Signifying meritorious qualities or actions especially as regard the enjoyment of life, prowess at sports, or success wooing potential partners.
I'm keeping it real.
Real
Really, very.
When I told him the truth, he got real mad.
Real
A commodity; see realty.
Real
(grammar) One of the three genders that the common gender can be separated into in the Scandinavian languages.
Real
(mathematics) A real number.
Real
(obsolete) A realist.
Real
Former unit of currency of Spain and Spain's colonies.
Real
A coin worth one real.
Real
A unit of currency used in Portugal and its colonies from 1430 until 1911, and in Brazil from 1790 until 1942.
Real
A coin worth one real.
Real
A unit of currency used in Brazil since 1994. Symbol: R$.
Real
A coin worth one real.
Real
A former small Spanish silver coin; also, a denomination of money of account, formerly the unit of the Spanish monetary system.
Real
A realist.
Real
Royal; regal; kingly.
Real
Actually being or existing; not fictitious or imaginary; as, a description of real life.
Whereat I waked, and foundBefore mine eyes all real, as the dreamHad lively shadowed.
Real
True; genuine; not artificial, counterfeit, or factitious; often opposed to ostensible; as, the real reason; real Madeira wine; real ginger.
Whose perfection far excelledHers in all real dignity.
Real
Relating to things, not to persons.
Many are perfect in men's humors that are not greatly capable of the real part of business.
Real
Having an assignable arithmetical or numerical value or meaning; not imaginary.
Real
Pertaining to things fixed, permanent, or immovable, as to lands and tenements; as, real property, in distinction from personal or movable property.
For he that but conceives a crime in thought,Contracts the danger of an actual fault.
Our simple ideas are all real; all agree to the reality of things.
Real
Any rational or irrational number
Real
An old small silver Spanish coin
Real
Being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory;
Real objects
Real people; not ghosts
A film based on real life
A real illness
Real humility
Life is real! Life is earnest!
Real
No less than what is stated; worthy of the name;
The real reason
Real war
A real friend
A real woman
Meat and potatoes--I call that a real meal
It's time he had a real job
It's no penny-ante job--he's making real money
Real
Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something;
Her actual motive
A literal solitude like a desert
A genuine dilemma
Real
Not synthetic or spurious; of real or natural origin;
Real mink
True gold
Real
Not to be taken lightly;
Statistics demonstrate that poverty and unemployment are very real problems
To the man sleeping regularly in doorways homelessness is real
Real
Possible to be treated as fact;
Tangible evidence
His brief time as Prime Minister brought few real benefits to the poor
Real
Being value measured in terms of purchasing power;
Real prices
Real income
Real wages
Real
Having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary;
The substantial world
A mere dream, neither substantial nor practical
Most ponderous and substantial things
Real
(of property) fixed or immovable;
Real property consists of land and buildings; real estate
Real
Coinciding with reality;
Perceptual error...has a surprising resemblance to veridical perception
Real
Founded on practical matters;
A recent graduate experiencing the real world for the first time
Real
Used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal;
She was very gifted
He played very well
A really enjoyable evening
I'm real sorry about it
A rattling good yarn
Common Curiosities
Is there a difference in value between genuine and real items?
Yes, genuine items often carry a higher sentimental or cultural value due to their authenticity, while real items are valued based on their material existence and utility.
What are the implications of using non-genuine products?
Using non-genuine products can lead to lower quality, potential safety risks, and legal issues, especially if the products are counterfeit.
Can emotions be both real and genuine?
Yes, emotions can be both real and genuine when they are truly felt and expressed sincerely without any fabrication.
Why do some people prefer real over genuine artifacts?
Some people prefer real artifacts for their historical and factual significance, even if they are not original, because they can be more accessible and affordable.
How do cultural perceptions affect the understanding of genuine and real?
Cultural perceptions can influence the importance placed on authenticity (genuine) versus physical existence (real), with some cultures valuing historical continuity and others prioritizing material evidence.
What role does legality play in defining genuine and real items?
Legality is crucial in defining both: genuine items must not be forgeries and must comply with intellectual property laws; real items must have verifiable existence to be included in legal transactions.
What does it mean for a product to be labeled genuine?
A product labeled as genuine is affirmed to be made of authentic materials as described, often indicating higher quality and adherence to traditional methods.
How do authenticity tests differ for genuine and real items?
Authenticity tests for genuine items focus on verifying origin and materials, while tests for real items verify physical existence and properties.
What is the risk of misrepresenting something as genuine or real?
Misrepresenting items as genuine or real can lead to fraud charges, loss of reputation, and financial penalties.
How can a real item be identified?
A real item can be identified through physical examination, verification techniques like scanning or testing, and documentation that proves its existence and authenticity.
How does consumer awareness affect the market for genuine and real products?
Increased consumer awareness often drives demand for genuine products due to a preference for authenticity and can also lead to a more discerning approach towards identifying real products.
How does the art world differentiate between genuine and real works?
In the art world, a genuine work is by the original artist and not a copy; a real work is physically present and has been authenticated, but it could include authorized reproductions.
Can digital products be considered genuine or real?
Digital products can be considered genuine if they originate from an authentic source, though they are not real in the physical sense; their 'realness' pertains to their functionality and impact.
What technologies are used to verify the genuineness and realness of products?
Technologies such as blockchain for provenance, spectroscopy for material analysis, and various digital certification methods are used to verify both genuineness and realness.
What are common misconceptions about genuine and real items?
A common misconception is that all genuine items are of superior quality, which isn’t always the case, and that all real items are genuine, which also may not be true.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
