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; bona fides ( def. )

Example Sentences

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

It introduced Caribbean music and culture to the world and made Belafonte a bona fide pop star.

From The Wall Street Journal

The films launched Culkin to fame and have become bona fide Christmas classics, whose emotional core lies in the palpable chemistry between Culkin and O’Hara.

From Los Angeles Times

Congress later exempted “bona fide” newscasts, interviews, documentaries and events.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• genuine
• legitimate