honest

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableapproving

   Truthful and fair, never lying, cheating or stealing.

   Grammar: Describes a person or their conduct: an honest worker, she is honest.

   Patterns

   • honest with someone
   • honest about something

   He is an honest mechanic who never overcharges.

   Please be honest with me about the results.

   She gave an honest account of what happened.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Said or done in a direct, sincere way, even when the truth is uncomfortable.

   Grammar: Often before a noun like opinion or answer: an honest opinion.

   Patterns

   • to be honest

   Can I give you my honest opinion of the plan?

   To be honest, I did not enjoy the film.

   The teacher gave an honest assessment of my chances.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noun

   Earned or gained by fair means rather than through trickery.

   Grammar: Used in set phrases such as an honest living or an honest day's work.

   Patterns

   • an honest living

   He makes an honest living repairing bikes.

   After an honest day's work, they went home tired.

4. 4adjectivebefore a noun

   Showing something as it really is, without trying to hide or decorate it.

   Grammar: Used about plain, unvarnished things such as a simple meal.

   The restaurant serves honest food made with local ingredients.

   It was an honest mistake, not carelessness.

Word forms

Common combinations

honest mistake

It was an honest mistake and he apologized.

brutally honest

She was brutally honest about my cooking.

honest opinion

I would like your honest opinion.

to be honest

To be honest, I forgot about the meeting.

make an honest living

He just wants to make an honest living.

Synonyms and how they differ

truthful

Truthful describes what a person says on one occasion, while honest describes their general character as well.

sincere

Sincere stresses real feeling behind the words, whereas honest stresses not lying.

candid

Candid means openly frank, often about uncomfortable things, which is stronger than ordinary honesty.

upright

Upright is more formal and suggests high moral standards over a lifetime.

Opposites

Word family

honestly adverb

in a truthful way; also used for emphasis

honesty noun

the quality of being truthful

dishonest adjective

not truthful or fair

dishonesty noun

lack of truthfulness

Commonly confused: honest or honorable?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “honest”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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