First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1honest
adjective hon·est \ˈä-nəst\
: good and truthful : not lying, stealing, or cheating
: showing or suggesting a good and truthful character
: not hiding the truth about someone or something : not meant to deceive someone
Full Definition of HONEST
1
2
a : reputable, respectable <honest decent people> b chiefly British : good, worthy
3
: creditable, praiseworthy <an honest day's work>
4
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Origin of HONEST
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin honestus honorable, from honos, honor honor
Related to HONEST
- Antonyms
- dishonest, fibbing, lying, mendacious, prevaricating, untruthful
Synonym Discussion of HONEST
upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right. upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles <a stern and upright minister>. honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, fairness <known for being honest in business dealings>. just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable <workers given just compensation>. conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience <conscientious in the completion of her assignments> <scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will>. honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty <a difficult but honorable decision>.
2honest
adverb
Definition of HONEST
1
: in an honest manner : honestly <I have ever found thee honest true — Shakespeare>
2
: with all sincerity <I didn't do it, honest>
See honest defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HONEST
1596
HONEST Defined for Kids
honest
adjective hon·est \ˈä-nəst\
Definition of HONEST for Kids
1
: not engaging in or involving cheating, stealing, or lying <an honest citizen> <an honest living>
2
: not marked by lies or trickery : straightforward <an honest answer>
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