sincere
Americanadjective
adjective
-
not hypocritical or deceitful; open; genuine
a sincere person
sincere regret
-
archaic pure; unadulterated; unmixed
-
obsolete sound; whole
Synonym Usage
See earnest 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sincere
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin sincērus “pure, clean, untainted”
Explanation
Being sincere is being genuine. If someone compliments you on your outfit, but you notice them rolling their eyes when they think you’re not looking, they probably weren't being sincere. If you've been offered a sincere thanks for something you've done, the person is probably really grateful. Sometimes when people say "thank you," they don't always mean it, but when they add the adjective sincere, the emphasis is usually for a very good reason. You may hear a charity sending out a sincere thanks to sponsors for their donations, which help keep the charity running.
Vocabulary lists containing sincere
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
When so much of our public life is mediated through phone screens, dubious algorithms and national outrage, there is something sincere and restorative about a neighborhood potluck.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Clara Brugada Molina, head of the city's government, expressed her "most sincere condolences" to the victims' families and pledged support in the coming days.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
“I appreciate that they go up there with nothing, just a mic and their wits. By comparison, you seem painfully sincere as a songwriter. I like that uncomfortable shift.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
"I feel great freedom and sincere trust from Ancelotti. He is sure I can do for the national team what I do for Real Madrid," he added.
From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026
Rawiya held Moss for a few seconds, and then Bits was there, their eyes alight in pride and respect, and Moss hugged them, hard and sincere, before leading them all away.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
“There is no sincerer love than the love of food,” reads the slip of paper.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 21, 2015
Guarantee us peace," begged Mr. Guinness, "and Germany will find she has no sincerer and no more useful friend in the world than Britain!
From Time Magazine Archive
Another Richmond editorial said, “There will in all the earth be no sincerer mourners than the people of the southern section of this Union.”
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
The men who "preached Christ of envy and strife" bore evidently the Christian name as openly as their sincerer brethren.
From Philippian Studies Lessons in Faith and Love from St. Paul's Epistle to the Philippians by Moule, H. C. G. (Handley Carr Glyn)
But either you write not at all for women, or for those of sincerer palates.
From Letters to Severall Persons of Honour by Donne, John
“Skydive Perris offers its sincerest condolences to the individual’s family and politely asks for privacy as we mourn together as a community,” according to the statement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026
"What happened today in Teotihuacan hurts us deeply. I express my sincerest solidarity to the people affected and their families," Sheinbaum wrote.
From Barron's ● Apr. 20, 2026
"My sincerest and heartfelt condolences continue to remain with the families of both teenagers through this unimaginably difficult time," he added.
From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2026
If imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery, perhaps Americans should take a bow.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026
“Mrs. Jackson, again, my sincerest apologies that we haven’t spoken before today.”
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
