English

Alternative forms

• bonâ fide

Usage notes

The pronunciation IPA^(key): /ˈboʊnə.faɪd/, is the most common one in the USA and therefore listed first in American dictionaries, incl. American Heritage, Merriam-Webster, Webster's Third New International Dictionary, and the American version of Collins.^[1]

Adjective

bona fide ‎(not comparable)

1. In good faith.

   Although he failed, the prime minister made a bona fide attempt to repair the nation's damaged economy.

2. Genuine; not counterfeit.

   This is a bona fide Roman coin.

   • 2000, O Brother Where Art Thou? (movie):

     Ulysses Everett McGill: I am the only daddy you got! I’m the damn pater familias!

     Wharvey Gal: But you ain’t bona fide!

Usage notes

Sometimes misspelled as *bonafied, by incorrectly analyzing as the past tense of assumed *bonafy.^[2]

Synonyms

• (done in good faith): sincere
• (genuine): authentic, genuine

Antonyms

• (done in bad faith): mala fide
• (genuine): bogus, counterfeit

Translations

See also

• bona fides
• mala fide

References

1. ↑ Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
2. ↑ Bonafied / Bona Fide, Paul Brians

Czech

Etymology

From Latin bona fide ‎(“in good faith”), which is an ablative of bona fides ‎(“good faith”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbona ˈfide/

Phrase

bona fide

1. bona fide (in good faith)