(1) Made in good faith, without deceit. (2) Authentic or genuine.
Example:
They made a bona fide and sincere offer to buy the property at its fair market value.
Bona fide means "in good faith" in Latin. When applied to business deals and the like, it stresses the absence of fraud or deception. A bona fide sale of securities is an entirely aboveboard transaction. When used of matters outside of the legal or business worlds, bona fide implies sincerity and earnestness. A bona fide promise is one that the promisor has every intention of keeping. A bona fide proposal of marriage is one made by a suitor who isn't kidding around.