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:
They certainly seem sincere, but some investors suspected ulterior motives when CEOs were so quick to consider tapping the brakes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
“This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets,” Ballmer’s statement read.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
"On behalf of the Defence Safety Authority and the wider Defence Aviation community, I offer my sincere condolences to Lt Leyshon's family, friends and colleagues," he added.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
Maybe Vance’s just-asking-questions routine is a sincere effort to fix that.
From Slate ● Sep. 11, 2026
I lower my voice so it’s soft enough to sound sincere but loud enough to travel through her open window.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
“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
And the Great Mother probably never had purer or sincerer devotees.
From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Samuel Dill
Never did poet have a truer companion, a sincerer spiritual helpmate, than Mr. Bryant in his wife.
From Home Life of Great Authors by Hattie Tyng Griswold
“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
In a statement, Unifil said: "We extend our sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of those brave peacekeepers who gave their lives in service of peace."
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026
To Mr. Kerrigan, I send my sincerest condolences.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2025
"Madam Minister, let me express my sincerest apologies. Protecting Camellia is my responsibility. I failed you and my queen."
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
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.
