bona fide

American  

[boh-nuh fahyd, bon-uh, boh-nuh fahy-dee] / ˈboʊ nə ˌfaɪd, ˈbɒn ə, ˈboʊ nə ˈfaɪ di /

Or bona-fide

adjective

1. made, done, presented, etc., in good faith; without deception or fraud.

   a bona fide statement of intent to sell.

   Synonyms:

   legal, lawful, sincere, honest

   Antonyms:

   deceitful

2. authentic; true.

   a bona fide sample of Lincoln's handwriting.

   Synonyms:

   genuine

   Antonyms:

   false, spurious

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bona fide British  

adjective

1. real or genuine

   a bona fide manuscript

2. undertaken in good faith

   a bona fide agreement

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noun

1. informal a public house licensed to remain open after normal hours to serve bona fide travellers

bona fide Cultural  

1. Genuine: “The offer was a bona fide business opportunity: they really meant to carry it through.” From Latin, meaning “in good faith.”

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Usage

See bona fides.

Etymology

Origin of bona fide

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin bonā fidē “in good faith, with good faith,” ablative singular of (nominative singular) bona fidēs; bona fides ( def. )

Example Sentences

The latter earned Duvall an Oscar nomination and made him a bona fide star after years playing lesser roles.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

The show became a touchstone for a generation of ’90s kids and catapulted its young stars into bona fide stardom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

People will show up for what used to be routine interviews, whether it’s a bona fide marriage, even though they don’t have a criminal record, and yet, without warning, they’ll be detained.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

“I’m Glad My Mom Died” was a bona fide phenomenon.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2026

Veronica owns a bona fide pebble from Grace/and. cachet.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Related Words

• genuine
• legitimate