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

---

bona fide British  

adjective

1. real or genuine

   a bona fide manuscript

2. undertaken in good faith

   a bona fide agreement

---

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.”

---

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

Last week, the agency issued a notice seeking comments from the public about whether “The View” should be considered a bona fide news program.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

For purists, EVs are a textbook case of bona fide demand destruction.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

But by not actually addressing the elephant in the room, “Michael” does the opposite, making its subject look like a bona fide creep.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

Any best-case scenario for USC this month presumably would involve a true star turn for Davidson, who already has proven to be a bona fide playmaker as a freshman.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

Not long afterward, the onetime insurance salesman opened a business in downtown Fairfax, peddling bona fide policies.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• genuine
• legitimate