Definition

Noun: * Sincere intention to be fair, honest, and lawful in one's dealings: The state of acting with honesty and without intent to deceive, cheat, or defraud. It implies a genuine belief that one's actions are correct and permissible.

Usage

"Good faith" is an uncountable noun primarily used in legal, business, and formal contexts to describe the quality of one's intentions. It is most commonly used in the prepositional phrase "in good faith."

Examples

• The contract was signed by both parties in good faith.
• She made the payment in good faith, believing the invoice was correct.
• The negotiations were conducted in good faith.
• The buyer acted in good faith and should be protected.

Advanced Usage

• "To act in good faith": To behave honestly and with sincere intentions.
  • The company acted in good faith when it recalled the defective product.
• "A good faith effort": A sincere and honest attempt to do something.
  • We made a good faith effort to resolve the dispute.
• "Good faith agreement" / "Good faith estimate": An agreement or estimate made honestly, without intent to mislead, though the final terms may change.
  • The builder provided a good faith estimate for the repairs.

Variants and Related Words

• Bona fide (adj.): A Latin term often used synonymously with "in good faith," meaning genuine or authentic.
  • He is a bona fide expert in the field.
• Good-faith (adj.): Used attributively before a noun.
  • A good-faith deposit.

Synonyms

• Honesty
• Sincerity
• Integrity
• Trustworthiness

Antonyms

• Bad faith (n.): The intent to deceive or be dishonest.
  • He was accused of acting in bad faith.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Take something in good faith": To accept something as being honest or sincere.
  • I took his promise in good faith.

Noun

1. having honest intentions
   • he acted in good faith
   • doubt was expressed as to the good faith of the immigrants