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

Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. could appeal, though the state says it offered him a chance to prove a bona fide candidacy, yet he “did not submit additional information and evidence to respond to the complaints.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

Kane Williamson, a bona fide all-time great, has retired and England have chosen four debutants in two Tests.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

This wouldn’t be surprising, given the song’s status as a bona fide American classic, if it weren’t for the song’s historical significance to the LGBTQ+ community.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

He needs to “create like a bona fide inflation-fighting mind-set,” Khurana added.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

And at the end of it, Mrs. Owens announced: “If you haven’t already heard, we have a bona fide hero in our midst this morning. Brady Parks.”

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

Related Words

• genuine
• legitimate