DictionaryAI

honest

AH-nist/ˈɑ.nɪst/UKON-ist/ˈɒn.ɪst/

9 meanings of honest

Practice

  1. 1
    frankadjective
    Saying or showing things as they really are, without hiding the truth or what you really think.

    Give me an honest answer about what really happened.

    Her report was honest and did not favor either side.

    UsageSay an honest (not incorrect: a honest), because you do not say the h. Be honest with someone.

    Similartruthful, plain

    Oppositeuntruthful

  2. 2
    trustworthyadjective
    Telling the truth and not cheating, lying, or stealing.

    Like a friend who tells you the truth even when it is hard to hear.

    She is an honest girl who never lies to her parents.

    An honest shopkeeper gave back the extra money.

    UsageSay more honest and most honest to compare.

    Similartrustworthy, upright, principled, scrupulous

    Oppositedishonest, deceitful, crooked

    Note
  3. 3
    adverbcolloquial
    Used to promise that what you say is really true.

    Honest, I didn't break the window.

    I tried my best, honest.

    UsagePut it at the start or end of what you say: Honest, I didn't.

    Similarreally, truly, seriously

  4. 4
    real and fulladjective
    Real and complete, not fake or skimpy.

    The meal was honest food, simple and filling.

    The bartender always pours an honest pint, filled right to the top.

    UsageUsed before words like food or work: honest food, an honest day's work.

    Similargenuine, unpretentious, generous

    Oppositepretentious, stingy

  5. 5
    good faithadjective
    Done in good faith, without wanting to hurt anyone.

    It was an honest mistake, not meant to hurt you.

    He made an honest effort to fix the problem.

    UsageCommon in an honest mistake and an honest try.

    Similarsincere, innocent

    Oppositemalicious

  6. 6
    fairly earnedadjective
    Earned or gained fairly, without cheating or stealing.

    He earns an honest living as a carpenter.

    Grandpa fixed shoes for forty years and made an honest living.

    UsageMost often in make an honest living.

    Similarfair, legitimate, lawful

    Oppositeill-gotten, illicit, illegitimate

Less common meanings

  1. 7
    fittingadjectiveobsolete
    Decent and proper, fitting for the time or place.
    Behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching!
    c. 1597, William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”Here, honest means decent and proper, fit for respectable people.

    Similarhonorable, decent

    Note
  2. 8
    adjectiveobsolete
    Faithful and pure, especially to a husband or wife.
    Wives may be merry, and yet honest too.
    c. 1597, William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”Here, honest means faithful and pure, true to their husbands.
    Note
  3. 9
    adornverbobsolete
    To add beauty or honor to something.
    You have very much honested my lodging with your presence.
    1609, Ben Jonson, “Epicoene, or The Silent Woman. A Comœdie.”Here, honested means honored or graced, made the lodging finer by being there.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin honestus, meaning honorable, which comes from honor.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts