adjective

sincere

/sɪnˈsɪr/ · say it: sin·SEER

free from pretense; genuine

In Personality & Character

In more detail

1. (adjective) honest and genuine; expressing what you really feel or believe, not false or pretended

2. (adjective) genuine and without any attempt to deceive or manipulate

Examples

1. She gave me a sincere apology for hurting my feelings.
2. His sincere desire to help others made him a beloved teacher.

How to use sincere

Sincere describes feelings, statements, or actions that are genuinely felt rather than performed for effect. It emphasizes the absence of pretense or deception and is commonly used in contexts involving apologies, condolences, or expressions of emotion. It suggests depth of feeling beyond mere politeness.

Common phrases

sincere apology
sincere regret
sincere gratitude
sincere belief
sincere condolences
sincere effort

Synonyms

genuine · honest · heartfelt · authentic · candid

Opposites

false · insincere · hypocritical

Word family

sincerely (adverb) · sincerity (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use sincere to mean simply 'serious' or 'strong' without the essential component of genuine authenticity; for example, a forcefully delivered false statement is not sincere just because it is emphatic.

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