bona fide

/'bounə'faidi/

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Word: Bona Fide

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: The term "bona fide" means genuine, real, or authentic. It describes something that is not fake, counterfeit, or copied. When something is bona fide, it is true and can be trusted.

Usage Instructions:

• "Bona fide" is typically used before nouns. For example, you can say "a bona fide expert," which means the expert is truly knowledgeable in their field.
• It is often used in formal contexts, such as legal documents, business transactions, or when discussing authenticity.

Examples:

1. Simple Example: "He is a bona fide artist who has been painting for over 20 years."

   • This means he is a real artist, not just pretending to be one.

2. Business Example: "We need a bona fide offer before we can consider selling the house."

   • This means they want a genuine offer that is serious and trustworthy.

Advanced Usage:

In legal contexts, "bona fide" can refer to actions taken in good faith, without any intention to deceive. For instance, in contracts, a "bona fide purchaser" is someone who buys something without knowing it might be stolen.

Word Variants:

• Bona Fides (noun): This refers to someone's credentials or achievements that prove their authenticity or qualifications. For example, "She presented her bona fides to the committee."

Different Meanings:

While "bona fide" mainly means genuine or authentic, it can also refer to good faith actions in legal terms.

Synonyms:

• Genuine
• Authentic
• Real
• Legitimate
• True
• Trustworthy

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• In good faith: This phrase means doing something with honest intentions, similar to the idea of being bona fide.
• Put your money where your mouth is: This means to back up your claims with actions or genuine efforts, similar to showing that you are bona fide.

Summary:

"Bona fide" is a useful word to describe things that are real, genuine, or trustworthy.

Academic

Adjective

1. not counterfeit or copied
   • an authentic signature
   • a bona fide manuscript
   • an unquestionable antique
   • photographs taken in a veritable bull ring
2. undertaken in good faith
   • a bona fide offer

Synonyms

• authentic
• unquestionable
• veritable