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Meaning & use

good faith

noun, adjective·Academic

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UK/ˌɡʊd ˈfeɪθ/
US/ˌɡʊd ˈfeɪθ/

Meanings

  1. noununcountableformal

    An honest and sincere intention to deal fairly with others, without trying to deceive or take unfair advantage.

    Grammar: Uncountable: act in good faith, not 'a good faith' for this meaning.

    Patterns

    • in good faith
    • act in good faith
    • show good faith

    She signed the contract in good faith, believing every statement in it was true.

    Both sides must negotiate in good faith for the talks to work.

    The seller showed good faith by returning the deposit at once.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounformal

    Done honestly and sincerely, with a real attempt to keep a promise or follow the rules.

    Grammar: Appears before a noun, often with a hyphen: a good-faith offer.

    Patterns

    • a good faith effort
    • a good faith offer

    The company made a good faith effort to fix the problem.

    The court accepted that he had made a good faith mistake.

Common combinations

act in good faith
Directors must act in good faith for the benefit of the company.
negotiate in good faith
The union said management was not negotiating in good faith.
a gesture of good faith
He released the prisoners as a gesture of good faith.
good faith effort
We made a good faith effort to reach every voter.
in good faith
I lent him the money in good faith.

Synonyms and how they differ

sincerity
Sincerity describes a person's honest feelings in general, while good faith is about honest intention in a specific deal or dispute.
honesty
Honesty is a broad character trait, whereas good faith concerns how one acts in a particular situation.
integrity
Integrity suggests firm moral principles over time, but good faith only needs honest intent in one case.
bona fides
Bona fides is a more formal or legal term, often meaning proof of honest credentials.

Opposites

bad faith

Word family

faith noun
trust or strong belief in someone or something
faithful adjective
loyal and true to a person or promise
bad faith noun
dishonest intention to deceive
bona fide adjective
genuine, real

Commonly confused: good faith or goodwill?

good faith vs goodwill

Goodwill is a friendly feeling or a business's reputation, while good faith is honest intention in dealings.

Practice

The buyer paid a deposit ___, trusting that the seller would keep his promise.

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