Honest: meaning, definitions and examples

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honest

[ˈɒnɪst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in moral context

Free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere. Showing fairness and straightforwardness of conduct.

Synonyms

reliable, sincere, trustworthy, truthful, upright.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
honest	Used to describe a person who consistently tells the truth and does not lie or cheat. She is an honest person who always speaks her mind He gave an honest answer even though it was difficult
truthful	Used to describe someone who habitually speaks the truth and doesn’t lie. Being truthful is important in any relationship She is always truthful, even when it’s hard
sincere	Used to describe someone who truly means what they say and is genuine in their emotions and expressions. Her apology was sincere and heartfelt He gave a sincere effort during the project
upright	Used to describe someone who has high moral standards and consistently does what is right. He is known as an upright man in the community She leads an upright life, following her principles rigidly
trustworthy	Used to describe someone who is worthy of trust and can be relied on to keep promises or secrets. You can tell her your secrets; she is trustworthy He has proved himself to be a trustworthy friend
reliable	Used to describe someone who can be depended upon to do what they say they will do or what is expected of them. John is very reliable; he always finishes his work on time You can count on her; she is extremely reliable

Examples of usage

He was an honest man who would never lie.
She gave an honest opinion on the matter.
The judge was known for being honest and impartial in his decisions.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

in general context

Not deceptive or fraudulent; genuine. Marked by integrity and a strong sense of ethical behavior.

Synonyms

authentic, forthright, genuine, sincere, true.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
honest	Use when describing someone who consistently tells the truth and doesn't deceive or cheat. She gave me an honest answer. He is known for his honest character.
authentic	Use when something is real, accurate, and not fake; often used to describe objects, experiences, and sometimes people. This restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine. Her joy was authentic, not just for show.
genuine	Use when something is sincere, heartfelt, and true, often referring to emotions or personal qualities. He showed genuine concern for her well-being. Her enthusiasm was genuine.
sincere	Use when describing someone who expresses true feelings or intentions without pretense; often used to describe emotions, apologies, or compliments. Please accept my sincere apologies. His offer to help was sincere.
true	Use when confirming the accuracy, loyalty, or factuality of something or someone. Her loyalty to him was true and unwavering. The story he told was true to the best of his knowledge.
forthright	Use when describing someone who speaks plainly and directly, often about difficult subjects. Sometimes this word can have a negative connotation if it comes off as blunt or tactless. He was forthright about the company's financial issues. She appreciated his forthright advice, even though it was hard to hear.

Examples of usage

She always pays an honest price for the products she buys.
It's refreshing to meet someone so honest and transparent in their dealings.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'honestus', which means honorable or respectable.
In Old French, it was 'honeste', showing its connection to ideas of virtue and morality.

Psychology

People tend to feel happier and less anxious when they practice honesty in their lives.
Being honest can strengthen relationships, as trust builds between people who share the truth.

Cultural Significance

Many cultures value honesty as a cornerstone of ethical behavior, teaching it through proverbs and stories.
In various religions, honesty is often linked to spiritual purity and righteousness.

Pop Culture

Songs like 'Honesty' by Billy Joel highlight the importance of truthfulness in relationships.
There are many famous quotes about honesty, such as those from Mahatma Gandhi and George Washington, emphasizing its key role in leadership.

Literature

In many classic novels, characters struggle between honesty and deceit, often facing significant consequences for their choices.
The theme of honesty frequently appears in children's literature, teaching young readers the importance of being truthful.

Translations

Translations of the word "honest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 honesto

🇮🇳 ईमानदार (īmāndār)

🇩🇪 ehrlich

🇮🇩 jujur

🇺🇦 чесний

🇵🇱 uczciwy

🇯🇵 正直 (しょうじき, shōjiki)

🇫🇷 honnête

🇪🇸 honesto

🇹🇷 dürüst

🇰🇷 정직한 (jeongjihan)

🇸🇦 صادق (ṣādiq)

🇨🇿 čestný

🇸🇰 čestný

🇨🇳 诚实 (chéngshí)

🇸🇮 pošten

🇮🇸 heiðarlegur

🇰🇿 адал

🇬🇪 პატიოსანი (p'at'iosani)

🇦🇿 dürüst

🇲🇽 honesto

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,160, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3157 obliged
3158 columns
3159 scholars
3160 honest
3161 plot
3162 pool
3163 fraction
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