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

If you run up quantum computing stocks years ahead of the profits, you’re being sincere about either the business prospects or the trading momentum.

Read more on Barron's

In Byrne, Bronstein finds the ideal muse, a sincere and powerful actor capable of transforming this harsh character into a picture of human behavior.

Read more on Salon

He is whimsical, funny, snarky, slightly obnoxious and at his core, I think, very sincere.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"All of us at Newcastle United extend our sincere condolences to Willie's loved ones," the Magpies posted on social media.

Read more on BBC

But this time her voice was nothing but sincere, her face nothing but concerned.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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