sincere

[sin-seer]

adjective

sincerer, sincerest 

1. free of deceit, hypocrisy, or falseness; earnest.

   a sincere apology.

   Synonyms: unaffected, guileless, open, honest, candid, frank
   Antonyms: false

2. genuine; real.

   a sincere effort to improve; a sincere friend.

   Antonyms: false

3. pure; unmixed; unadulterated.

4. Obsolete.,  sound; unimpaired.

sincere

/ sɪnˈsɛrɪtɪ, sɪnˈsɪə /

adjective

1. not hypocritical or deceitful; open; genuine

   a sincere person

   sincere regret

2. archaic,  pure; unadulterated; unmixed

3. obsolete,  sound; whole

Other Word Forms

• sincerely adverb
• sincereness noun
• quasi-sincere adjective
• quasi-sincerely adverb
• sincerity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sincere¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin sincērus “pure, clean, untainted”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sincere¹

C16: from Latin sincērus

Synonym Study

See earnest ¹.

Example Sentences

Ulster Unionist assembly member for the area Diana Armstrong said she wanted to pass her "sincere sympathy" to anyone affected by the crash.

Read more on BBC

But I quickly reminded myself that a sincere romance will never be built on lies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We welcome the sincere efforts of the U.S. and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to secure a just and equitable peace in Sudan, and we appreciate their continued concern and commitment to ending the bloodshed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The mix of clear-eyed realism with a dreamer’s optimism might be Brooks’ ultimate trick, the bedrock of his mixed-up style of sincere, bittersweet and funny: comedies with a heavy heart.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There’s an electricity between them, but also a sincere depth.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• candid 
• earnest 
• for real 
• forthright 
• genuine 
• heartfelt 
• outspoken 
• real 
• serious 
• true 
• trustworthy