bona fides
[ boh-nah fee-des; English boh-nuh fahy-deez or especially for 2, boh-nuh-fahydz, bon-uh ]
/ ˈboʊ nɑ ˈfi dɛs; English ˈboʊ nə ˈfaɪ diz or especially for 2, ˈboʊ nəˌfaɪdz, ˈbɒn ə /
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: The bona fides of this contract is open to question.
Compare mala fides.
(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.
usage note for bona fides
Bona fides is originally a Latin phrase meaning “good faith.”
Fides is singular in Latin and has been used as such in English. At least 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 recent decades in all varieties of speech and writing.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bona fides
bona fide bona fides (see usage note at the current entry)Words nearby bona fides
bon vivant,
bon voyage,
bona,
bona dea,
bona fide,
bona fides,
bona vacantia,
bonaci,
bonadoxin,
bonaire,
bonampak
Example sentences from the Web for bona fides
They took it for granted that Jim had gone into his bona-fides and that he was "square."
The Grell Mystery |Frank Froest
British Dictionary definitions for bona fides
bona fides
/ (ˈbəʊnə ˈfaɪdiːz) /
noun
law
good faith; honest intention
Word Origin for bona fides
Latin