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

This Argentina team have bona fide stars, a passionate heart and the ability to beat anyone if they get into their groove.

From BBC

The bill adds weight and height to that list, while including exceptions for jobs in which weight and height are a "bona fide occupational qualification" or where there is a public health and safety concern.

From BBC

In the years since Backyard Eats was founded in 2016, pandemic lockdowns, supply chain instability, the rise of remote work and surging inflation have transformed home gardening into a bona fide national craze.

From Seattle Times

It wasn’t just a Golden Age — it was a bona fide gold rush.

From Los Angeles Times

“They are bona fide. They require some responsible reaction. They may require regulation and legislation.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• genuine
• legitimate