bona fides

[ boh-nuh fahy-deez, boh-nuh-fahydz; Latin boh-nah fee-des ]

noun

1. (italics) Latin. (used with a singular verb) good faith; absence of fraud or deceit; the state of being exactly as claims or appearances indicate: Compare mala fides.

   The bona fides of this contract is open to question.

2. (sometimes italics) (used with a plural verb) the official papers, documents, or other items that prove authenticity, legitimacy, etc., as of a person or enterprise; credentials:

   All our bona fides are on file with the SEC.

bona fides

/ ˈbəʊnə ˈfaɪdiːz /

noun

1. law good faith; honest intention

Usage Note

Bona fides is from the singular Latin phrase bona fidēs , meaning “good faith,” and has the same meaning in English. But partially because its -es ending makes bona fides look and sound like a plural, it has developed the plural sense “credentials.” This plural use, although criticized by some usage guides, has been increasing in all varieties of speech and writing. The adjective bona fide (without the “s”) is from a Latin phrase meaning “in good faith, with good faith.” It was originally used adverbially in this sense, but is now mainly an adjective. The meaning “authentic, true” is a later development sometimes denounced as sloppy usage, but its use is bona fide and widespread.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bona fides¹

First recorded in 1835–40; from Latin bona fidēs “good faith”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bona fides¹

Latin

Example Sentences

Leaving aside the stereotypes that CBS’s audience is old and Vice’s is young, both companies have been playing up their international bona fides lately.

From Digiday

Just ask Shipley, a YouTube detective of sorts who tracks down and exposes people who masquerade as former commandos or otherwise exaggerate their military bona fides.

From Ozy

The state historically was known as a coal ash capital, a place where lawmakers touted their pro-business bona fides by denouncing regulations, and Georgia Power had a track record of delaying or blocking efforts to regulate pollution.

From ProPublica

Strickland and her two partners all came from similar backgrounds, with extensive scientific experience but limited business bona fides.

From MIT Technology Review

Despite his literary bona fides, Ovbiagele didn’t do any writing until he’d left banking.

From Ozy

Proving his far-right bona fides is just one aspect of the newly energized Roberts campaign.

From The Daily Beast

Why so many people are so eager to flaunt their musical bona fides by loathing Coldplay.

From The Daily Beast

Better still, his military bona fides give him the kind of street cred that is rare among the political class.

From The Daily Beast

For his part, Bright has been pushing his conservative bona fides.

From The Daily Beast

The two-decade veteran of the House of Representatives wears his Fighting Irish bona fides with pride.

From The Daily Beast

It was an instantaneous apparition of absolute bodily substance, which carried its own warrant of complete bona fides.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss Jessimina asked what had she done that I should be in dubitation as to her bona fides?

From Project Gutenberg

He declares that he wants work, honest work, and he considers that his "certificate" vouches for his bona fides.

From Project Gutenberg

I had impressed upon him that this was essential in order to test the bona fides of the tenderers.

From Project Gutenberg

Raven'll be doubting the bona fides of his own footmen and his own garden lads next.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• candor
• earnestness
• frankness
• genuineness
• goodwill
• impartiality
• probity
• reliability
• seriousness
• trustworthiness
• truth
• truthfulness
• veracity