Sincere Does Not Mean Without Wax
Sincere means honest and genuine. A charming story explains the word as sine cera, without wax, and it is almost certainly false.
Sincere means free from pretence. A popular story claims it comes from Latin *sine cera*, without wax — dishonest sculptors supposedly filling cracks with wax. Etymologists reject it: the word comes from *sincerus*, clean or pure, and the wax tale is folk etymology of the most appealing kind.
- Genuine and honest. *A sincere apology.*
- Felt truly. *Sincere thanks.*
- Sincerely — the letter ending. *Yours sincerely.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adjective | sincere | A sincere effort. |
| Adverb | sincerely | Sincerely meant. |
| Noun | sincerity | Obvious sincerity. |
| Opposite | insincere | An insincere smile. |
| Related | genuine | A genuine offer. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Please accept my sincere apologies.Formal writing.
- Yours sincerely, when you know the name.British letter convention.
- Yours faithfully, when you do not.The other half of the rule.
Letter endings
- Yours sincerely — when the letter opens with a name
- Yours faithfully — when it opens Dear Sir or Madam
- Kind regards — the common email middle ground
- Best wishes — friendly and neutral
- Yours truly — American, and now rare in Britain
From Latin *sincerus*, clean, pure or sound. The *sine cera* story is not supported by evidence and is a classic example of an invented etymology.
Is the *without wax* story true?
No. It is folk etymology. The Latin *sincerus* meant pure or unadulterated, with no connection to wax or sculpture.
Sincerely or faithfully?
In British letters, sincerely follows a named greeting and faithfully follows Dear Sir or Madam.