honest-to-goodness
Americanadjective
adverb
Etymology
Origin of honest-to-goodness
First recorded in 1915–20
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But it’s better than fine — it’s a work of honest-to-goodness art.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026
It sells a slim control bar that magnetically snaps to the bottom of the screen, giving you honest-to-goodness physical buttons for music and climate control.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026
It is time to begin regarding the Miami Dolphins as honest-to-goodness Super Bowl contenders and their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, as a top league MVP candidate.
From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2022
Originally recorded back in 1993, "The Lost Album" delivers the goods in the form of a dozen honest-to-goodness, previously unheard original Smithereens recordings.
From Salon • Sep. 24, 2022
An honest-to-goodness, unopened, only slightly dented can of root beer.
From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
