bona fide

The Latin phrase meaning genuine.

Write bona fide as two words: a bona fide offer. It is an adjective, and sometimes an adverb: bona fide surprised. The noun is bona fides: check his bona fides. Do not write bonafide or bona-fide in ordinary prose.

Examples

UseIt was a bona fide offer.

UseCheck her bona fides.

Avoida bonafide offer