aboveboard

adverb

above·board | \ ə-ˈbəv-ˌbȯrd

Definition of aboveboard

(Entry 1 of 2)

: in a straightforward manner : openly

aboveboard

adjective

Definition of aboveboard (Entry 2 of 2)

: free from all traces of deceit or duplicity

Examples of aboveboard in a Sentence

Adjective

The committee tried to be fair and aboveboard in its hiring. an aboveboard and responsible proposal She acted in a completely open and aboveboard way.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Nearly a century later, Morris’s great-nephew Kevin is also in the beverage business—but aboveboard, as the owner of Loma Brewing Company in Northern California. — Kyle Brown, Cincinnati.com, "Sycamore, UC great Kevin Youkilis featured in Sports Illustrated’s 'Where Are They Now?'," 25 June 2019 Nearly a century later, Morris’s great-nephew Kevin is also in the beverage business—but aboveboard, as the owner of Loma Brewing Company in Northern California. — Mark Bechtel, SI.com, "Former Red Sox Great Kevin Youkilis Crafting a New Path With California Brewery," 25 June 2019 My use of a personal email account was aboveboard and allowed under the State Department's rules. — Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, "Hillary Clinton Is Sorry About That Whole Email Situation," 9 Sep. 2015 Most bus and tour companies that operate aboveboard should be willing to have this conversation with you, and those that aren’t should arouse your suspicion. — New York Times, "5 Ways to Stay Safe on Bus Trips Abroad," 26 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

These traveling shows are aboveboard: Russia has no laws that regulate how marine mammals should be treated in captivity. — Natasha Daly, National Geographic, "Suffering unseen: The dark truth behind wildlife tourism," 12 June 2019 But such operatives, who pursue their clients’ goals through a variety of methods—some entirely aboveboard, others less so—do exist. — Ben Widdicombe, Town & Country, "How Much Does It Cost to Keep Your Name Out of the News?," 18 Jan. 2019 For many Democrats and environmental groups, Zinke’s aboveboard actions are just as alarming. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke might face a criminal investigation," 5 Nov. 2018 Many people suspect that not all of the president’s dealings with foreign creditors were aboveboard — including, by all appearances, the president himself. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Michael Cohen Signals Interest in Cooperating With Investigators," 15 June 2018 Many people suspect that not all of the president’s dealings with foreign creditors were aboveboard — including, by all appearances, the president himself. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Michael Cohen Signals Interest in Cooperating With Investigators," 15 June 2018 Many people suspect that not all of the president’s dealings with foreign creditors were aboveboard — including, by all appearances, the president himself. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Michael Cohen Signals Interest in Cooperating With Investigators," 15 June 2018 Unless some of the funds paid to Essential Consultants made their way back to Trump (a not wholly implausible scenario), Cohen’s lobbying career was likely aboveboard. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "AT&T Gave Trump’s Lawyer $600,000 to Help Get Its Merger Approved (and Its Taxes Cut)," 11 May 2018 Prosecutors said in court papers that in an aboveboard business relationship, Jim Norton would have hired Sherry Pierce directly and Gary Pierce would have disclosed his wife’s employment. — Jacques Billeaud, The Seattle Times, "Ex-Arizona regulator charged with bribery heads to trial," 27 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aboveboard.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.