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; see also bona fides ( def. )

Example Sentences

By not actually addressing the elephant in the room, “Michael” makes its subject look like a bona fide creep.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

Duvall’s portrayal of Tom Hagen earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor and, at 41, made him a bona fide Hollywood star.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

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

Since Miss Piggy is a bona fide fashion icon, they took the process extremely seriously.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

“There’s no point fretting. We’ve got a bona fide veterinarian here.”

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Related Words

• genuine
• legitimate