bona fides

noun bo·na fi·des \ ˌbō-nə-ˈfī-ˌdēz , ÷ˈbō-nə-ˌfīdz \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of bona fides

1 : good faith : sincerity

2 : the fact of being genuine —often plural in construction

3 : evidence of one's good faith or genuineness —often plural in construction

4 : evidence of one's qualifications or achievements —often plural in construction

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Recent Examples of bona fides from the Web

People with data science bona fides are among the most sought-after professionals in business, with some data science Ph.

— bloomberg, Fortune, "'Sexiest Job' Ignites Talent Wars as Demand for Data Scientists Soars," 18 May 2018
Steps beyond dismantling Punggye-ri will be needed to demonstrate a bona fide commitment to denuclearize, said David Albright, founder of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington.

— jonathan cheng, WSJ, "North Korea Starts to Dismantle Nuclear-Test Site," 15 May 2018
But Post is indeed different from other white rappers, most of whom try to prove their bona fides through virtuosity or political solidarity.

— hua hsu, The New Yorker, "Post Malone’s White-Rapper Blues," 7 May 2018
Warren's presence in Ohio -- on the trail and at private fundraisers -- could boost Cordray's liberal bona fides at a crucial time.

— jackie borchardt, cleveland.com, "Elizabeth Warren aims to boost Rich Cordray's 'progressive' values in Ohio campaign stops," 13 Apr. 2018
Despite Sessions' hard-right bona fides — he was considered one of the most conservative members of the U.S. Senate during his four terms in office — other conservatives have begun to pile on.

— joseph tanfani, latimes.com, "As Trump assails Justice Dept., Sessions hangs in — and pushes the president's hard-right agenda," 2 Mar. 2018
His conservative bona fides have, reputedly, helped earn him a spot on President Trump’s shortlist for Supreme Court nominations.

— will stancil, The Atlantic, "Is School Desegregation Coming to an End?," 28 Feb. 2018
Given his conservative bona fides, President Trump's lone nominee is likely to tip the balance against the unions.

— richard wolf, USA TODAY, "Public employee union fees raise ire at Supreme Court, but key justice remains silent on direction," 26 Feb. 2018
So, with the city's romantic bona fides being thusly established, here's a heartfelt pre-Valentine's Day query: Why are there no good romantic comedies set in New Orleans?

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "'When We First Met' movie review: When will New Orleans get the romantic comedy it deserves?," 7 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bona fides.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Bona fides looks like a plural word in English, but in Latin, it's a singular noun that literally means "good faith." When bona fides entered English, it at first stayed very close to its Latin use - it was found mostly in legal contexts and it meant "honesty or lawfulness of purpose," just as it did in Latin. It also retained its singular construction. Using this original sense one might speak of "a claimant whose bona fides is unquestionable," for example. But in the 20th century, use of bona fides began to widen, and it began to appear with a plural verb in certain contexts. For example, a sentence such as "the informant's bona fides were ascertained" is now possible.

Origin and Etymology of bona fides

Latin, literally, good faith

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1665

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

BONA FIDES Defined for English Language Learners

bona fides

noun

Definition of bona fides for English Language Learners

: evidence which shows that what you have said about yourself is true : evidence showing that you deserve a position or that you can be trusted

Law Dictionary

bona fides

noun bo·na fi·des \ ˌbō-nə-ˈfī-ˌdēz, commonly ˈbō-nə-ˌfīdz \

legal Definition of bona fides

: good faith

the fact that the plaintiff conducted an investigation demonstrated its bona fides
—Jeannette Glass Co. v. Indemnity Ins. Co. of North America, 88 A.2d 407 (1952) (dissent)

Origin and Etymology of bona fides

Latin

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bona fides

Definition of bona fides

bona fides was our Word of the Day on 07/30/2017. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of bona fides from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of bona fides

BONA FIDES Defined for English Language Learners

bona fides

Definition of bona fides for English Language Learners

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bona fides

legal Definition of bona fides

Origin and Etymology of bona fides

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bona fides

Definition of bona fides

bona fides was our Word of the Day on 07/30/2017. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of bona fides from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of bona fides

BONA FIDES Defined for English Language Learners

bona fides

Definition of bona fides for English Language Learners

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bona fides

legal Definition of bona fides

Origin and Etymology of bona fides

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