BONA FIDES Definition & Meaning

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bona fides

[ boh-nuh fahy-deez, boh-nuh-fahydz; Latin boh-nah fee-des ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

(italics) Latin. (used with a singular verb) good faith; absence of fraud or deceit; the state of being exactly as claims or appearances indicate: Compare mala fides.
The bona fides of this contract is open to question.
(sometimes italics) (used with a plural verb) the official papers, documents, or other items that prove authenticity, legitimacy, etc., as of a person or enterprise; credentials:
All our bona fides are on file with the SEC.

bona fides

/ ˈbəʊnə ˈfaɪdiːz /

noun

law good faith; honest intention

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Usage Note

Bona fides is from the singular Latin phrase bona fidēs , meaning “good faith,” and has the same meaning in English. But partially because its -es ending makes bona fides look and sound like a plural, it has developed the plural sense “credentials.” This plural use, although criticized by some usage guides, has been increasing in all varieties of speech and writing. The adjective bona fide (without the “s”) is from a Latin phrase meaning “in good faith, with good faith.” It was originally used adverbially in this sense, but is now mainly an adjective. The meaning “authentic, true” is a later development sometimes denounced as sloppy usage, but its use is bona fide and widespread.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of bona fides¹

First recorded in 1835–40; from Latin bona fidēs “good faith”

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of bona fides¹

Latin

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The Double Scorpio brand has sleek packaging, hip social media presence and LGBTQ-owned bona fides that helped reach new users.

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The celebrity formerly known as Meghan Markle, star of “Suits” – we’ll explain later – has engineered “With Love, Meghan” to burnish her hostess bona fides and amiability.

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That Martin got the U.S. attorney nomination was due, it seems, not to his prosecutorial bona fides but to his denial of what happened Jan. 6, 2021.

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"They seem to be consistent with people who either want to take symbolic actions that shore up their conservative bona fides, or they actually want to trap women in marriages."

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Monterroso Mejia possesses a profound humility about all her work, chalking up her acting bona fides to simple good luck.

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