# sincerely

/sɪnˈsɪɹɫi/ (US) · /sɪnsˈiəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sincerely
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. honestly and genuinely

adverb · CEFR B1

in a way that is honest and shows you really mean what you say.

For teachers: in a genuine and earnest manner, indicating that the speaker's feelings or intentions are truthful.

- I sincerely hope that you feel better soon after your surgery.
- The CEO sincerely apologised for the technical failure, acknowledging the significant disruption it had caused to the company's long-term clients.

### 2. letter closing

adverb · CEFR B1 · Formal

a polite way to end a formal letter or email before you sign your name.

For teachers: a conventional formulaic closing for formal correspondence, typically used when the recipient is addressed by name.

- Sincerely, Sarah Jenkins.
- The candidate concluded the cover letter with 'Sincerely,' followed by his full name and contact information as per the standard professional protocol.

Usage: Usually appears as 'Sincerely,' or 'Yours sincerely,' at the very end of a letter.

Teaching tip: While 'Sincerely' is standard in American English for most formal mail, British English traditionally distinguishes between 'Sincerely' (known recipient) and 'Faithfully' (unknown recipient).

## Examples

- I sincerely hope that you feel better soon.
- She thanked the volunteers sincerely for their hard work during the charity event.
- The diplomat expressed his regrets sincerely, though many observers questioned whether his words reflected a genuine shift in national policy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.