good faith: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Neutral
Quick answer
What does “good faith” mean?
A sincere intention to be honest and fair in one's actions and dealings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sincere intention to be honest and fair in one's actions and dealings.
Acting without intent to deceive or defraud; genuine and honest effort to fulfil obligations or agreements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. More frequent in American legal/business contexts. The spelling 'good-faith' (hyphenated) as a pre-modifier is common in both.
Connotations
Slightly more juridical connotation in AmE. In BrE, it can sound slightly formal but is widely understood.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, particularly in contractual and employment contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “good faith” in a Sentence
NP act in ~NP make a ~ effortNP negotiate in ~It was done in ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “good faith” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company shall act in good faith throughout the term.
American English
- They are legally obligated to bargain in good faith with the union.
adverb
British English
- The offer was made good-faithly. (RARE and non-standard; 'in good faith' is preferred)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form; 'in good faith' functions adverbially)
adjective
British English
- She made a good-faith attempt to resolve the complaint.
American English
- He provided a good faith estimate of the repair costs.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential in contract law and negotiations. 'The parties entered into the agreement in good faith.'
Academic
Used in legal, philosophical, and ethical discussions about intention and trust.
Everyday
Used to assert honest intentions. 'I borrowed the book in good faith, thinking you were finished.'
Technical
A foundational principle in insurance law (uberrimae fidei) and contract law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “good faith”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “good faith”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “good faith”
- Using 'with good faith' instead of the fixed preposition 'in good faith'.
- Confusing 'good faith' (noun phrase) with the adjective 'faithful'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it is a key legal concept, it is commonly used in everyday language to describe honest intentions in any situation.
Yes, when it is used as an attributive adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a good-faith deposit'), hyphenation is standard in formal writing, though often omitted in informal contexts.
'Good faith' refers to honesty of intention, while 'best efforts' refers to the level of diligence and energy expended, regardless of ultimate success. One can act in good faith without necessarily making their 'best efforts'.
They are very close synonyms. 'Bona fide' (Latin for 'in good faith') is often used to mean 'genuine' or 'authentic' (e.g., a bona fide expert), while 'in good faith' more specifically describes the manner of an action.
A sincere intention to be honest and fair in one's actions and dealings.
Good faith is usually formal/neutral in register.
Good faith: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈfeɪθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈfeɪθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In good faith”
- “A show of good faith”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'good faith' as the opposite of a 'faithless' act. It's having 'good' intentions you can have 'faith' in.
Conceptual Metaphor
HONESTY IS A VALUABLE COMMODITY / TRUST IS A FRAGILE CONTAINER (acting in good faith preserves it).
Practice
Quiz
What is the opposite legal principle of 'good faith'?