sincere

[ sin-seer ]

adjective

, sin·cer·er, sin·cer·est.

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

   sincere regret

   a sincere person

2. archaic.
   pure; unadulterated; unmixed
3. obsolete.
   sound; whole

Derived Forms

• sinˈcerely, adverb
• sincerity, noun

Other Words From

• sin·cerely adverb
• sin·cereness noun
• quasi-sin·cere adjective
• quasi-sin·cerely adverb

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.

Related Words

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