bona fides
noun
bo·na fi·des
ˌbō-nə-ˈfī-ˌdēz 
nonstandard
ˈbō-nə-ˌfīdz
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
Did you know?
Bona fides looks like a plural word in English, but in Latin it is a singular noun that literally means "good faith." When bona fides entered English, it at first stayed very close to its Latin use, and it also kept its singular form—for example, "a claimant whose bona fides is unquestionable." But in the 20th century, use of bona fides began to widen, and it began to appear with a plural verb in certain contexts, such as "the informant's bona fides were ascertained."
Examples of bona fides in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Again, critics say the company’s decision to operate a service that is dependent on plastic bags and requires extensive transport undermines their environmental bona fides.
—
Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Her campaign foregrounds her interest in the economic development of the district, her background in the provision of mental health services and notes her environmental bona fides and her master’s degree in wildlife science, which would be an interesting addition to the Springfield Democrats.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Since Crockett entered the race, Talarico has sought to establish his bona fides as fighter for Democratic causes.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
To guide the initial sessions, the band brought in the hitmaking producer Arif Mardin, whose pop bona fides included producing several classic Aretha Franklin records and overseeing the Bee Gees’ transformation from musty ’60s holdovers to disco superstars.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bona fides
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Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Her campaign foregrounds her interest in the economic development of the district, her background in the provision of mental health services and notes her environmental bona fides and her master’s degree in wildlife science, which would be an interesting addition to the Springfield Democrats.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Since Crockett entered the race, Talarico has sought to establish his bona fides as fighter for Democratic causes.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
To guide the initial sessions, the band brought in the hitmaking producer Arif Mardin, whose pop bona fides included producing several classic Aretha Franklin records and overseeing the Bee Gees’ transformation from musty ’60s holdovers to disco superstars.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bona fides
Cite this Entry
“Bona fides.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bona%20fides. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
bona fides
noun
bo·na fi·des
ˌbō-nə-ˈfī-ˌdēz, commonly ˈbō-nə-ˌfīdz
: 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)
Jeannette Glass Co. v. Indemnity Ins. Co. of North America, 88 A.2d 407 (1952) (dissent)Etymology
Latin
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