Genuine bobbin picked up (4)
I believe the answer is:
real
'genuine' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'bobbin picked up' is the wordplay.
'bobbin' becomes 'reel' (synonyms).
'picked up' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'reel' is a homophone of 'REAL'.
(Other definitions for real that I've seen before include "Actual, not imagined" , "Lear, strangely, could actually exist" , "Genuine or existing" , "Spanish football team" , "Actual, not illusory" .)