sincere
sihn-SEER
Sincere (adj) means Genuinely felt or meant; free of pretence or deceit. Example: “She gave a sincere smile and thanked the nurse for her kindness.”
adj
1
Genuinely felt or meant; free of pretence or deceit.
"She gave a sincere smile and thanked the nurse for her kindness."
"Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay."
"His sincere concern for her wellbeing was obvious."
How to use sincere
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGenuinely meant, not fake or put on.
Common pairings
sincere apology
sincere thanks
sincere gratitude
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more sincere, sincerer
- Superlative
- most sincere, sincerest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gave a _____ smile and thanked the nurse for her kindness.
Etymology
From Latin sincerus ("clean, genuine, pure"). A popular but false story claims it comes from "without wax" (sine cera), but this is a myth — linguists trace it instead to roots meaning roughly "one whole growth."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sincere
See all rhymes for sincere →Frequently asked questions
What does “sincere” mean?
The word “sincere” means genuinely felt or meant; free of pretence or deceit. In plain terms, genuinely meant, not fake or put on.
How do you pronounce “sincere”?
“Sincere” is pronounced sihn-SEER (/sɪnˈsɪɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sincere” in a sentence?
Here is “sincere” used in a sentence: “Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay.”
What is another word for “sincere”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sincere” include earnest.
What is the opposite of “sincere”?
The opposite of “sincere” — its antonyms — is insincere.
What part of speech is “sincere”?
“Sincere” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sincere” come from?
The word “sincere” comes from Latin. From Latin sincerus ("clean, genuine, pure"). A popular but false story claims it comes from "without wax" (sine cera), but this is a myth — linguists trace it instead to roots meaning roughly "one whole growth.".
Is “sincere” a common word?
“Sincere” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'sincere' and 'honest'?
'Sincere' describes the genuineness of feelings or intentions behind what someone says or does, free from pretence or deceit. 'Honest' more broadly describes truthfulness in general, including factual accuracy, and doesn't necessarily involve emotion.
When should you use 'sincere' instead of 'genuine'?
'Sincere' is typically used for feelings, apologies, thanks, and expressions, as in 'sincere condolences' or 'sincere apology.' 'Genuine' has a broader range and can also describe objects, products, or people being authentic rather than fake.
Is 'sincere' formal or informal?
'Sincere' works in both formal and everyday English, but it appears especially often in formal or polite phrasing, such as 'yours sincerely' in letters or 'sincere gratitude' in professional messages.
