Etymology Map
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Authentic

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means genuine

Where does the word "authentic" come from? It comes from Greek authentikos, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
authentikos
Greek · ancient
"original, genuine"
Greek, from 'authentēs', one who acts on his own authority
2
Stage 2 of 3
autentique
Old French · medieval
"authoritative"
came via Late Latin 'authenticus'
3
Stage 3 of 3
authentic
English · 1300s
"authoritative"
the sense 'genuine' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Authentic’s story begins in Greek: authentikos meant “original, genuine.” Greek, from 'authentēs', one who acts on his own authority. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as autentique. Came via Late Latin 'authenticus'. It reached English by 1300s as authentic. The sense 'genuine' dates from the 1600s. Today, authentic means genuine.