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

February 19 – March 20 Clarity today comes from being honest about what feels fair and manageable. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026

As the Moon moves through your 8th House of Intimacy, honest conversations help shared responsibilities feel more secure. —Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

After reading about the road that led to his stardom, one is hit with the realization that Hall was more talented and groundbreaking than memory serves, and is an honest and compelling writer, in collaboration with Alan Eisenstock. —Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

With Venus in Gemini aligning with Pluto in Aquarius, honest conversations help shift situations that have been stuck. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 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