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

But the contracts now trading on Kalshi represent the first bona fide perpetual futures available to be traded in the U.S.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

A truly grassroots effort, Global Beatles Day has slowly but surely emerged as a bona fide tradition over the years, celebrated annually around the world on June 25.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

Actors including Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi became bona fide movie stars, complicating schedules and pushing up costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Last season he broke out as a bona fide star, becoming the first MLB player to accumulate 25 home runs, 25 stolen bases and 70 runs batted in during the first half of a season.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

It offered a set of bona fide heroes rather than simply a dearth of villains.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Related Words

• genuine
• legitimate