sincere

[sin-seer]

adjective

sincerer, sincerest 

1. free of deceit, hypocrisy, or falseness; earnest.

   a sincere apology.

   Synonyms: unaffected, guileless, open, honest, candid, frank
   Antonyms: false

2. genuine; real.

   a sincere effort to improve; a sincere friend.

   Antonyms: false

3. pure; unmixed; unadulterated.

4. Obsolete.,  sound; unimpaired.

sincere

/ sɪnˈsɛrɪtɪ, sɪnˈsɪə /

adjective

1. not hypocritical or deceitful; open; genuine

   a sincere person

   sincere regret

2. archaic,  pure; unadulterated; unmixed

3. obsolete,  sound; whole

Other Word Forms

• sincerely adverb
• sincereness noun
• quasi-sincere adjective
• quasi-sincerely adverb
• sincerity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sincere¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin sincērus “pure, clean, untainted”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sincere¹

C16: from Latin sincērus

Synonym Study

See earnest ¹.

Example Sentences

"Our sincere condolences go out to Billy's family, and to our friends at Chichester City FC at this incredibly difficult time," the club posted on X.

From BBC

Friends of the Jahn’s told the independent journalist Ken Klippenstein that they did not believe the inscription on the bullet could be sincere given what they know about him.

From Salon

If Meta were sincere in its claims of taking user speech and safety seriously, it would do something about issues like these.

From Salon

And yet “Steve,” sincere in its hardcore concern, believably acted, is too scattered and schematically plotted to fully pull us into the emotional toll and scruffy joys of this work.

From Los Angeles Times

"Forgive us, because the world speaks of rights, but denies them to Palestinians. Forgive us because our efforts, our sincere efforts, shattered against this wall of rejection."

From BBC

Related Words

• candid 
• earnest 
• for real 
• forthright 
• genuine 
• heartfelt 
• outspoken 
• real 
• serious 
• true 
• trustworthy