Words / B1

sin-SEER/sɪnˈsɪə/

Sincere means honest and really meant. Genuine is a close twin (already in the dictionary); honest is everyday. Insincere is the opposite. Complaints: a sincere apology names the error.

Meaning

Honest and really meant, not fake.

Examples

• “A sincere apology names the error; “sorry you feel that way” is not enough.”
• “Sincere thanks in the newsletter still do not replace the unpaid overtime.”

Good to know

a sincere + apology / thanks / effort. Close: genuine. Everyday: honest. Opposite: insincere. HR / public statements. Adverb: sincerely (Yours sincerely on letters).

Near in meaning

genuine

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