Main Entry: ¹hon·est

Pronunciation: \ˈä-nəst\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin honestus honorable, from honos, honor honor

Date: 14th century

1 a : free from fraud or deception : legitimate, truthful <an honest plea> b : genuine, real <making honest stops at stop signs — Christian Science Monitor> c : humble, plain <good honest food>
2 a : reputable, respectable <honest decent people> b chiefly British : good, worthy
3 : creditable, praiseworthy <an honest day's work>
4 a : marked by integrity b : marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression : frank <an honest appraisal> c : innocent, simple

synonyms see upright