► real not false or artificial:
These white flowers aren’t real - they’re made of plastic.We call him “Biff” but his real name is Bernard.➔ Real is also used about things that exist or happen and are not imaginary: The book was based on real events. | She was in real pain.► genuine a genuine feeling, thing, or person really is what they seem to be:
He showed a genuine interest in what I was doing.We thought the painting was by Picasso, and an expert confirmed that it was genuine.► authentic done in the correct or traditional way, and not an imitation:
The restaurant serves authentic Japanese food.➔ You can also say that a painting, document, etc. is authentic when it has been proved to be the original work and not a copy: The photographs were authentic and had not been changed in any way.► true having all the qualities that you think a particular kind of person or feeling should have:
When you are in trouble, you soon find out who your true friends are.She says that she has finally found true happiness. ➔ GRAMMAR: With this meaning, true is always used before a noun. Don’t say: This happiness is true. Say: This is true happiness.► actual real, but different from what people think or expect:
The news reports said that around 2,000 people died in the earthquake, but the actual number may never be known.The actual cost of the building work was much higher than the planned cost. ➔ GRAMMAR: Actual is always used before a noun. Don't say: The movie is based on events that are actual. Say: The movie is based on actual events.► sincere really feeling or believing something, and not pretending:
Eduardo listened with sincere interest.► literal the literal meaning of a word or expression is its basic or original meaning:
A trade war is not a war in a literal sense. It just means that there is very strong competition between countries.