honest
adjective
- telling the truth
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɒn.ɪst/ / /ˈɔː.nɪst/ / /ˈɑ.nɪst/
adj
Etymology: From Middle English honest, honeste (“honourable, appropriate, excellent”), from Old French honeste, from Latin honestus, from honor. For the verb, see Latin honestāre (“to clothe or adorn with honour”), and compare French honester. Displaced native Old English sōþfæst (literally “truth-firm”).
- Scrupulous with regard to telling the truth; not given to swindling, lying, or fraud; upright.
“brutally honest”
“We’re the most honest people you will ever come across.”
- True, especially as far as is known by the person making the statement; fair; unbiased.
“an honest account of events”
“honest reporting”
- In good faith; without malice.
“an honest mistake”
- Accurate.
“an honest scale”
- Authentic; full.
“an honest day's work”
- Earned or acquired in a fair manner.
“an honest dollar”
- Open; frank.
“an honest countenance”
- Decent; honourable; suitable; becoming.
“Behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching!”
“[…] Vpon the verge of the Riuer there are fiue houſes, wherein liue the honeſter ſort of people, as Farmers in England, and they keepe continuall centinell for the townes ſecuritie.”
- Chaste; faithful; virtuous.
“Wives may be merry, and yet honest too.”
adv
Etymology: From Middle English honest, honeste (“honourable, appropriate, excellent”), from Old French honeste, from Latin honestus, from honor. For the verb, see Latin honestāre (“to clothe or adorn with honour”), and compare French honester. Displaced native Old English sōþfæst (literally “truth-firm”).
- Honestly; really.
“It wasn’t my fault, honest.”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English honest, honeste (“honourable, appropriate, excellent”), from Old French honeste, from Latin honestus, from honor. For the verb, see Latin honestāre (“to clothe or adorn with honour”), and compare French honester. Displaced native Old English sōþfæst (literally “truth-firm”).
- To adorn or grace; to honour; to make becoming, appropriate, or honourable.
“You have very much honested my lodging with your presence.”