bona fide

or bona-fide

[ boh-nuh fahyd, bon-uh; boh-nuh fahy-dee ]

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

bona fide

adjective

1. real or genuine

   a bona fide manuscript

2. undertaken in good faith

   a bona fide agreement

noun

1. informal.
   a public house licensed to remain open after normal hours to serve bona fide travellers

bona fide

1. Genuine: “The offer was a bona fide business opportunity: they really meant to carry it through.” From Latin , meaning “in good faith.”

Usage Note

See bona fides.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bona fide¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bona fide¹

C16: from Latin

Related Words

• genuine
• legitimate