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 even people who aren’t being silenced, such as all the folks crying “cancel culture” after being called names on social media, steal the valor of bona fide free speech martyrs.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

The latter, which earned Duvall an Oscar nomination and made him a bona fide star after years playing lesser roles, sees him utter what is now one of cinema's most famous lines.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 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 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

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