rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysincerityGenuine honesty
noun

sincerity

sin-SAIR-uh-tee/sɪnˈserəti/

Honesty in expressing what one truly feels or believes.

The stranger's sincerity shows in the heartfelt thanks for the returned wallet.

Adult warmly returns a found wallet with all contents intact to grateful stranger, genuine honest expression, no exaggerated glow or hearts.
Etymology
sincerLatinwhole, pure, genuine
+ityLatinstate or quality

The noun ending makes sincerity the quality of being pure or genuine. Latin sinceritas meant purity or wholeness, an image carried into honest feeling and expression as freedom from deceit; the base’s deeper origin is uncertain.

In context

Smarter While You Sleep39:09
Flattery, when used with sincerity and discretion, helps you gain trust and influence without coming across as manipulative.
100 Savage Psychology Tricks That Give You Unfair Control

More examples

  • They trusted his sincerity.
  • Her apology lacked sincerity.
  • The letter showed real sincerity.

Forms

sincerity

sincere adjective — honest in expressing real feelings

Similar words

honesty
Truthfulness more broadly.
genuineness
Being real or authentic rather than specifically honest feeling.