sincereadj.
/s(ɪ)nˈsɪə/, U.S. /sɪnˈsɪ(ə)r/ 1. Not falsified or perverted in any way:
a. Of doctrine, etc.: Genuine, pure.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adjective]
goodOE
substantial1419
soundc1440
allowablec1443
stronga1475
stable1481
infallible1526
sore1530
sincere1536
acknowledged1548
of…validity1581
firm1600
acknowledgeable1630
valiant1632
infallid1635
valid1651
copper-bottomed1890
the mind > mental capacity > belief > school of thought > [adjective] > accepted, orthodox
sincere1536
orthodox1659
favoured1891
1536 Act 27 Hen. VIII c. 42 §1 The syncere and pure doctrine of Goddes worde.
1597 T. Beard Theatre Gods Iudgements i. xxxiii. 183 A Popish priest that was once a professour of the sincere religion.
1653 tr. J. Stegmann Brevis Disq. in Phenix (1708) II. 340 Many think..that these are the true and genuine Doctrines.., which nevertheless have nothing at all common with the sincere Gospel of Christ.
1679 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Reformation (1865) I. 583 It was necessary to establish a form of sincere doctrine.
1828 G. S. Faber Sacred Cal. Prophecy III. v. vi. 294 When sincere Christianity was propounded in all its native lustre.
b. True, veracious; correct, exact.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adjective] > of statement: agreeing with reality
soothlyc888
soothfastc950
truea1250
very1303
strait1340
honesta1400
soothfulc1400
precisec1443
veritable1474
just1490
perfect1523
faithful1529
sincere1555
unmangled1557
truthful?1567
neat1571
oraculous1612
punctual1620
oracular1631
unvamped1639
strict1645
unembroidered1649
ungarbled1721
unexaggerated1770
veracious1777
unfictitious1835
unexaggeratinga1854
uncooked1860
1555 (title) [Lydgate's] The Avncient Historie and onely trewe and syncere Cronicle of the warres betwixte the Grecians and the Troyans.
1583 W. Fulke (title) A Defense of the sincere and true Translations of the holie Scriptures into the English tong.
1665 G. Havers tr. P. della Valle Trav. E. India 26 Those great Expeditions..: Of which nevertheless, little sincere fame arrives to us; there being no Europæan who hath written truly thereof.
1693 J. Edwards Disc. conc. Old & New-Test. I. ii. 74 If some few..Copies had been corrupted.., the sincere Number would have detected the corrupt.
1705 T. Hearne Ductor Historicus (ed. 2) I. ii. vi. 193 Things worthy of our Knowledge; collected out of the most sincere and uncorrupted Monuments of Antiquities.
1861–2 R. Williams Notes to Counsel 16 Some sincere editions of the Bible no longer contain those warrants.
1876 J. R. Lowell Among my Bks. 2nd Ser. 19 That is the only sincere glimpse we get of the living, breathing, word-compelling Dante.
c. Morally uncorrupted, uncontaminated.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > purity > [adjective]
cleanlyc888
unwemmedc950
clean971
lightOE
whiteOE
unfiledc1200
shire?c1225
sheenc1275
wemlessc1275
undefouled13..
undefoileda1325
purec1330
unbleckedc1380
unfouledc1380
clear1382
impollutec1384
unblemishedc1400
undefiledc1400
unspottedc1400
virginc1400
spotless?a1430
immaculate1441
uncorruptc1450
unpollushed1490
intemeratea1492
incorrupted1529
unmaculate1535
impolluted1548
crystallinec1550
incorrupt1550
uncorrupted1565
undistained1565
unstained1573
entire1587
taintless1590
untainted1590
stainless1599
unsmirched1604
intemerated1608
indepravate1609
chastea1616
uncurseda1628
undishonested1631
untaint1638
Adamical1649
sincere1649
undebaucheda1656
unaccurseda1674
amiantal1674
unsoiled1699
unpolluted1732
1649 F. Roberts Clavis Bibliorum (ed. 2) 513 Keeping them pure and sincere against all temptations.
2. Pure, unmixed; free from any foreign element or ingredient:† d. Free from hurt; uninjured. Obsolete.
a. Of immaterial things.
ΚΠ
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 120 The lawys, wyche be syncere & pure reson wythout any spot or blot of affectyon.
a1575 N. Harpsfield Treat. Divorce Henry VIII (1878) (modernized text) 214 For the lack of pure and sincere demonstration of the fact.
1632 Guillim's Display of Heraldrie (ed. 2) iii. ii. 110 The motion of the Heauens is the most sincere and vnlaboured of all motions.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) 375 By this means their enjoyments are sincere, unallayed with fears or suspitions.
1722 W. Wollaston Relig. of Nature ix. 217 His present pleasures (if not so many) are more sincere and natural.
b. Of colours or substances.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > state or quality of being simple, unmixed, or uncompounded > [adjective]
shirec888
unmengedeOE
mereeOE
perfecta1393
unmeddleda1425
impermixta1475
unmingled1545
unpermixedc1545
sincere1546
unintermixed1595
immixt1622
untinct1646
single-fold1651
meracious1657
beaten1670
simple1818
pure1831
straight1856
1546 T. Langley tr. P. Vergil Abridgem. Notable Worke vi. vii. 123 b The white coloure was thought fittest for the ded bicause it is clere, pure, and sincer, and leaste defiled.
1595 B. Barnes Divine Cent. Spirituall Sonnets xlviii. sig. D4 All Angels might..out bring Victorious Palmes, arraide in sincere white.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. xxxiii. vii. 476 If a man would know the true and syncere Vermillion indeed, it ought to have the rich and fresh colour of skarlet.
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 412 Milke..is not mingled with the bloud, but passeth out by vrine pure and sincere.
1662 J. Chandler tr. J. B. van Helmont Oriatrike 244 Surely the drink should under the first narrow examination of digestion, put off every stone, and that which is most exceeding hard and sincere.
1744 tr. H. Boerhaave Acad. Lect. Theory Physic III. 254 About the Tendons the Fat in this Membrane is rather watery and mucous than sincere Fat.
1764 Philos. Trans. 1763 (Royal Soc.) 53 233 Scarce any sincere gall issued forth on incision.
1802 W. Paley Nat. Theol. xxi. 403 Water..having no taste of its own, it becomes the sincere vehicle of every other.
c. spec. Unadulterated; genuine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > state or quality of being simple, unmixed, or uncompounded > [adjective] > unadulterated or undiluted
clean883
purea1393
uncorrumpeda1400
uncorrupted1541
sincere1557
stark naked?1594
undelayed1600
unsophisticated1630
entire1640
inadulterate1648
dephlegmated1651
neat1651
unalloyeda1672
intaminateda1695
undrossy1708
net1713
unadulterate1716
unsophistical1736
uncauponateda1752
undiluted1756
absolute1810
undefecated1812
unadulterated1823
undilute1876
undoctored1882
uncut1967
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adjective] > in its natural state, unsophisticated
purec1300
right1466
sincere1557
in grain?1577
genuine1607
unsophisticate1607
honesta1616
undistracted1656
unsophisticated1664
inartful1714
unabsurd1744
in the raw1785
1557 Bible (Whittingham) 1 Pet. ii. 2 As newe borne babes desire the syncere [Gk. ἄδολον] mylke of the worde.
1576 G. Baker tr. C. Gesner Newe Jewell of Health iv. f. 230 Is it a noate or token, that the spirit of the wyne was not syncere and pure.
1648 J. Beaumont Psyche iii. cvi. 34 His Mouth hee lifts but up And straight those courteous Trees, to mend his Fare, Sincerest Honey into it doe drop.
1679 tr. Trag. Hist. Jetzer 4 Down he kicks his Cruet of Holy-Water, adding,..they had none sincere and pure these eleven years, the Church-warden always dashing it with common water.
1869 R. Browning Ring & Bk. III. vii. 12 And wood is cheap And wine sincere outside the city gate.
1888 H. James Partial Portraits 368 There has not been as yet an American Renascence, in spite of the taste for ‘sincere’ sideboards and fragments of crockery.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [adjective] > free from harm or damage
unwoundedOE
scathelessc1175
skerea1225
unhurta1225
harmlessc1290
soundc1290
unshent1303
wella1325
quartc1330
untouchedc1400
inviolatea1420
unscathed1425
dangerlessc1440
unshendc1440
undefiledc1460
unhurted1483
hailscarta1522
undefaced1537
unpairedc1540
uncloyeda1560
undamnified1576
undemnified1576
uninjured1578
unfoiled1579
salamander-like1593
unvulnered1613
undamaged1648
invulneratea1680
sincere1700
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Twelfth Bk. Metamorphoses in Fables 424 He try'd..a tough well-chosen Spear; Th' inviolable Body stood sincere.
e. Devoid of something. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > non-possession > [adjective] > devoid of something
nakedeOE
toomOE
windia1225
skerec1250
freea1325
expertc1374
unbeseen1390
vacanta1400
devoidc1400
indigent1490
waste1513
clear1569
divesta1679
viduate1692
innocent1706
divested1742
sincerea1754
virgin1889
a1754 W. Hamilton To Lady Mary Montgomery The pleasing look, sincere of art.
1874 J. R. Lowell Agassiz iv. ii Our air, sincere of ceremonious haze Forcing hard outlines mercilessly close.
3. Containing no element of dissimulation or deception; not feigned or pretended; real, true.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adjective] > without deception
unfeignedc1374
honesta1400
rekenc1400
unfeigningc1400
entirec1430
sincere1539
pretenced1547
fraudless1580
uncoloured1585
unflatteringa1586
upright1587
undissembling1613
deceitless1628
single-hearted1804
undelusive1817
single-minded1836
undeceptive1846
1539 Act 31 Hen. VIII c. 14 Almightie god, the very author and fountaine of al true vnitie and sincer concorde.
1595 in Publ. Catholic Rec. Soc. (1908) 5 346 At length stirred up with the instinct of the Holy Ghost & zeale of syncere pietie.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 915 Witness Heav'n What love sincere, and reverence in my heart I beare thee. View more context for this quotation
a1699 A. Halkett Autobiogr. (1875) 13 Nothing that could exprese a sinceare affection.
1703 W. Burkitt Expos. Notes New Test. Rev. iii. 9 Weak Grace, if sincere, shall always find acceptance with Christ.
1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. lv. 243 I am satisfied that he is a Christian upon the most sincere conviction.
1810 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) I. iv. 106 You are quite right in believing my fondness for rural scenery to be sincere.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 151 A sincere anxiety for the prosperity and dignity of his excellent friend the treasurer.
4. Characterized by the absence of all dissimulation or pretence; honest, straightforward:absolute.1611 Bible (King James) Psalms cxix. 1 Blessed are the vndefiled [margin. Or, perfect, or sincere] in the way. View more context for this quotation1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 578 That prize belongs to none but the sincere.1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab i. 7 The envied boon, That waits the good and the sincere.
a. Of life, actions, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adjective]
aefauldOE
trueOE
true as steela1300
throlya1375
entirec1380
faithfula1382
entirelyc1400
single1519
sincere1533
sincere1539
simple-minded1556
Dunstable?1565
truthful?1567
single-hearted1574
single-minded1577
sound1580
downright1584
unaffected1592
real1597
plain-hearted1601
unartificial1603
free1619
honest1634
fair and square1636
round-dealing1642
wholehearted1657
down flata1663
well-designing1670
heart-whole1684
single-eyed1705
unsanctimoniousa1797
natural1825
bona fide1827
unfallacious1827
jannock1828
forthcoming1835
up and down1836
bonified1840
forthgoing1851
unhypocritical1854
forthright1855
upstanding1863
on the level1872
genuine1890
for real1954
upfront1967
1533 J. Frith Bk. answeringe Mores Let. sig. Cvv Master Wycleve was noted..to be a man..of a very syncere lyfe.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 1300 Such as pervert the good and sincere life of Commonweales.
a1629 W. Hinde Faithfull Remonstr. (1641) vi. 23 By the sincere simplicity and plainnesse of the truth of God..he mightily confuted them.
1700 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother ii. i Thy function Which like the Gods thou Serv'st, should be sincere.
1746 J. Hervey Medit. (1818) 112 My..sincerest acts of religion must not presume to challenge a reward.
1839 T. De Quincey Lake Reminisc. in Tait's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 100/1 Entering upon the dignity and the sincere thinking of mature manhood.
1841 R. W. Emerson Friendship in Ess. 1st Ser. (London ed.) 209 Three cannot take part in a conversation of the most sincere and searching sort.
b. Of persons, their character, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > unaffectedness or naturalness > [adjective] > straightforward or frank
right fortha1382
plaina1393
free-hearteda1398
round1487
opena1535
sincere1539
frank1555
pert1567
single-hearted1574
single-minded1577
direct1586
open-hearted1593
open-breasted1594
transparent1600
unclose1606
unminced1648
even down1654
unreserved1654
rugged1678
plain sailing1707
whole-footed1744
sturdy1775
heart-in-mouth1827
jannock1828
straightforward1829
direct-dealing1830
undiplomatic1834
straight-ahead1836
straight-up-and-down1859
man to man1902
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adjective]
aefauldOE
trueOE
true as steela1300
throlya1375
entirec1380
faithfula1382
entirelyc1400
single1519
sincere1533
sincere1539
simple-minded1556
Dunstable?1565
truthful?1567
single-hearted1574
single-minded1577
sound1580
downright1584
unaffected1592
real1597
plain-hearted1601
unartificial1603
free1619
honest1634
fair and square1636
round-dealing1642
wholehearted1657
down flata1663
well-designing1670
heart-whole1684
single-eyed1705
unsanctimoniousa1797
natural1825
bona fide1827
unfallacious1827
jannock1828
forthcoming1835
up and down1836
bonified1840
forthgoing1851
unhypocritical1854
forthright1855
upstanding1863
on the level1872
genuine1890
for real1954
upfront1967
1539 Bible (Great) 2 Pet. iii. 1 I stere vp your syncere mynde.
1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxiii. 10 The worthie deids done be that Prince sinceir.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xlii. 300 So they doe it out of a sincere conscience.
1686 tr. J. Chardin Coronation Solyman 25 in Trav. Persia Not having altogether the Reputation of a sincere man.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 57. ¶6 A Woman is too sincere to mitigate [etc.].
1751 T. Gray Elegy 11 Large was his Bounty, and his Soul sincere.
1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals i. ii If he is as..sincere as you have represented him to me.
1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XVI xcvii. 112 For surely they're sincerest, Who are strongly acted on by what is nearest.
1837 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece IV. xxxv. 393 She had not one sincere friend left.
1878 J. Morley Carlyle 175 He had the unspeakable advantage..of being ruggedly sincere.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1533