Honesty

/ˈɒn.ɪ.sti/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The quality of being honest; integrity; truthfulness.
Her honesty in dealing with clients earned her a great reputation in the industry.
The condition of being free from deceit or fraud.
He valued honesty above all else in his relationships.
Refusal to lie, cheat, or steal; being truthful and sincere.
The honesty of the witness was crucial in solving the case.

Etymology

Middle English 'honeste', from Old French 'honestete', from Latin 'honestus', meaning honor.

Common Phrases and Expressions

brutal honesty
Being extremely straightforward and candid, even when it may hurt.
honesty is the best policy
Telling the truth is better than being dishonest.
to speak honestly
To express oneself in a truthful and sincere manner.

Related Words

integrity
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
sincerity
The quality of being free from pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy.
candor
The quality of being open and honest in expression.

Slang Meanings

Keeping it real
He's always keeping it real with his friends.
Straight talk
Let's have some straight talk about our plans.