Bona Fide defined and explained with examples. Bona Fide is something that has been made or done in good faith, without intent to deceive or defraud anyone. Learn what is a bonafide certificate , who can apply, and how to get one from a school, college, or workplace with format and examples. The meaning of BONA FIDE is neither specious nor counterfeit : genuine. How to use bona fide in a sentence. Did you know? Synonym Discussion of Bona Fide . BONA FIDE definition: 1. real, not false: 2. real, not false: 3. real or true; not false: . Learn more.