bad faith

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bad′ faith′, 

1. lack of honesty and trust:
   Bad faith on the part of both negotiators doomed the talks from the outset.
   Cf. good faith.

bad′-faith′, adj. 

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

faith /feɪθ/   n. 

1. confidence or trust in a person or thing:
   [uncountable] I have faith that she'll do the right thing.
2. belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion:
   [uncountable] It was a question of faith.
3. a system of religious belief:
   [countable] the Jewish faith.
4. loyalty to a person, promise, engagement, etc.:
   [uncountable] I signed the agreement in good faith.

Idioms

5. Idioms in faith, in truth;
   indeed.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

faith  (fāth), n. 

1. confidence or trust in a person or thing:
   faith in another's ability.
2. belief that is not based on proof:
   He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.
3. belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion:
   the firm faith of the Pilgrims.
4. belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc.:
   to be of the same faith with someone concerning honesty.
5. a system of religious belief:
   the Christian faith; the Jewish faith.
6. the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.:
   Failure to appear would be breaking faith.
7. the observance of this obligation;
   fidelity to one's promise, oath, allegiance, etc.:
   He was the only one who proved his faith during our recent troubles.
8. Religion [Christian Theol.] the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.
9. Idioms in faith, in truth;
   indeed:
   In faith, he is a fine lad.

• Latin fidem, accusative of fidēs trust, akin to fīdere to trust. See confide
• Anglo-French fed, Old French feid, feit
• Middle English feith 1200–50

Faith  (fāth), n. 

1. a female given name.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

faith / feɪθ/ noun

1. strong or unshakeable belief in something, esp without proof or evidence
2. a specific system of religious beliefs: the Jewish faith
3. trust in God and in his actions and promises
4. a conviction of the truth of certain doctrines of religion, esp when this is not based on reason
5. complete confidence or trust in a person, remedy, etc
6. allegiance or loyalty, as to a person or cause (esp in the phrases keep faith, break faith)
7. bad faith ⇒ insincerity or dishonesty
8. good faith ⇒ honesty or sincerity, as of intention in business (esp in the phrase in good faith)

interjection

1. indeed; really (also in the phrases by my faith, in faith)

Etymology: 12th Century: from Anglo-French feid, from Latin fidēs trust, confidence