What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sincere
Example
I sincerely apologize for my mistake. [sincerely: adverb]
Example
She has always been a sincere friend to me. [sincere: adjective]
genuine
Example
The antique vase is a genuine artifact from the Ming Dynasty. [genuine: adjective]
Example
He is a genuine leader who always puts his team first. [genuine: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Genuine is more commonly used than sincere in everyday language. Genuine is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sincere is less common and refers to a specific type of honesty or truthfulness.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sincere and genuine?
Both sincere and genuine can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, sincere is often associated with more formal language, while genuine is more neutral in terms of formality.
