honest
/ˈɒn.ɪst/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Honest means telling the truth and not cheating or stealing. It also means showing a real opinion or feeling.
- She gave me an honest answer.
- He is honest about his mistakes.
- Please be honest with me.
Adinary Nuance
Honest is broader than just 'not lying'. It can also mean fair, sincere, or open about feelings. Compared with 'truthful', honest is more everyday and can describe a person's character, not only facts. Compared with 'frank', honest is softer and less direct.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thành thật
- Spanish
- honesto
- Chinese
- 诚实
- Japanese
- 正直な
- Korean
- 정직한
Etymology
Honest comes from Old French honest, from Latin honestus, meaning 'honorable' or 'respectable'. In English, it has meant truthful and morally good since the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
an honest mistaketo be honesthonest opinionhonest answer
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is honest a formal word?
- No, honest is common in everyday English. It also works well in writing, interviews, and business messages.
- What is the difference between honest and truthful?
- Truthful means saying things that are true. Honest is broader and can also mean sincere, fair, and not cheating.
- Can I say 'an honest person'?
- Yes. It means a person who tells the truth and behaves fairly.
- What does 'to be honest' mean in speech?
- It is a common phrase used before giving a real opinion. It can sound polite or conversational.