honest

1 of 2

adjective

hon·​est ˈä-nəst 

1

a

: free from fraud or deception : legitimate, truthful

an honest plea

an honest presentation of facts

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

an honest fellow

3

: worthy of praise

an honest day's work

put forth an honest effort

4

a

: marked by integrity

honest merchants

b

: marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression : frank

an honest appraisal

an honest discussion

c

: direct and uncomplicated : innocent, simple

some good honest sleep

honest

2 of 2

adverb

1

: in a genuine or honest (see honest entry 1) manner : honestly

… I have ever found thee honest true …

—William Shakespeare

2

: with all sincerity

I didn't do it, honest.

Synonyms of honest

Adjective

• truthful
• reliable
• outspoken
• genuine
• credible
• forthright
• frank
• candid
• true

Choose the Right Synonym for 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, or 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

Examples of honest in a Sentence

Adjective

He says that it's impossible to find an honest politician.

These criminals pose a danger to honest citizens.

He has an honest face.

Just give me an honest answer.

If you want my honest opinion, you should get a job.

To be perfectly honest, I don't want to go.

He gave us a painfully honest account of his childhood.

It was an honest error.

He still goes to the office every morning and puts in an honest day's work.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Ready for some season predictions, areas of concern, a fair look down the road and an honest glimpse at what’s right in front of the Browns? — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

For readers over 60, the honest answer matters more than any number on a hydration app. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026

The researchers also suggested that mechanisms should be found to allow honest agents to stop cheating by their peers, not merely to call it out on the message board. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

The Moon trines your ruler Saturn, supporting honest discussions about household costs, family needs, or who is responsible for what. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Adverb

derivative of honest entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing honest

• be honest/frank
• earn/turn an honest penny
• honest broker
• honest living
• honest mistake
• honest-to-goodness
• honest wage
• honest with (someone)
• let's be honest
• make an honest woman of (someone)
• make (someone) an honest woman

Rhymes for honest

• monist
• dishonest

Kids Definition

honest

1 of 2 adjective

hon·​est ˈän-əst 

1

: free from fraud or trickery : truthful

an honest plea

2

: being just what is indicated : genuine, real

made an honest mistake

3

: good in the eyes of society : respectable

poor but honest people

4

: trustworthy

5

: frank, open

honest

2 of 2 adverb

: to tell the truth : I mean it

I didn't do it, honest I didn't