Sincere Definition & Meaning

American

British

Related Words

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms sincere American [sin-seer] / sɪnˈsɪər /

adjective

sincerer, sincerest

1. free of deceit, hypocrisy, or falseness; earnest.

   a sincere apology.

   Synonyms: unaffected, guileless, open, honest, candid, frank Antonyms: false

2. genuine; real.

   a sincere effort to improve; a sincere friend.

   Antonyms: false

3. pure; unmixed; unadulterated.

4. Obsolete. sound; unimpaired.

sincere British / sɪnˈsɛrɪtɪ, sɪnˈsɪə /

adjective

1. not hypocritical or deceitful; open; genuine

   a sincere person

   sincere regret

2. archaic pure; unadulterated; unmixed

3. obsolete sound; whole

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See earnest 1.

Other Word Forms

• quasi-sincere adjective
• quasi-sincerely adverb
• sincerely adverb
• sincereness noun
• sincerity noun

Etymology

Origin of sincere

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin sincērus “pure, clean, untainted”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

NRW said it offered its "sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in Waterfall Country".

From BBC

That’s a tall order these days, especially in this country, but it’s hard to fault Hosoda for the sincere reminder of what could be.

From Los Angeles Times

“Try to give Israel the benefit of the doubt, okay? If he says he was being sincere, believe him.”

From Literature

However, we fully recognise how devastating this has been to the family and our thoughts and sincere sympathies remain with them.

From BBC

"We extend our sincere condolences to the Oates family," a spokesman said.

From BBC

Related Words

• candid
• earnest
• for real
• forthright
• genuine
• heartfelt
• outspoken
• real
• serious
• true
• trustworthy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.