bona fide
Say it: BOH-nuh FY-dee /ˌbəʊnə ˈfaɪdi/ · adjective
What “bona fide” means
Genuine and real.
More precisely: Genuine; real; made in good faith.
When to use it
When confirming that something is authentic or legitimate, usually in formal discussion or reassuring everyday conversation.
Memory trick
Latin for in good faith: something presented honestly, rather than pretending to be real.
It can also mean
It can also describe actions or intentions made honestly, in good faith.
Similar words
genuine, authentic, legitimate
Where it comes from
Latin, 'in good faith'.
Quick check
An expert confirms that a supposedly antique vase really is centuries old. It's a ___ antique. Which fits?
replica or bona fide?
Show the answer
bona fide
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