honesty

[on-uh-stee]

noun

plural

honesties 

1. the quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness.

   Synonyms: rectitude, probity, integrity
   Antonyms: dishonesty

2. truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness.

   Synonyms: veracity, candor

3. freedom from deceit or fraud.

4. Botany.,  a plant, Lunaria annua, of the mustard family, having clusters of purple flowers and semitransparent, satiny pods.

5. Obsolete.,  chastity.

honesty

/ ˈɒnɪstɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being honest

2. sincerity or fairness

3. archaic,  virtue or respect

4. Also called: moonwort.  satinpod. a purple-flowered SE European plant, Lunaria annua, cultivated for its flattened silvery pods, which are used for indoor decoration: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

Other Word Forms

• overhonesty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of honesty¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English honeste, from Middle French, from Latin honestās; honest, -ty ²

Synonym Study

See honor.

Example Sentences

“Other states have put similar markers out there to restore honesty when petition circulators are talking about their ballot proposal.”

From Salon

John later confessed to being embarrassed by the lyrics’ brutishness, but there’s no denying the beastly honesty inherent in the boorish speaker’s wrath.

From Salon

After taking over, Mr Patel turned it into a fortnightly with reported stories, sharp columns, and illustrations that tackled sensitive Parsi issues with honesty and humour.

From BBC

As ever, Steve Clarke was heroically deadpan, talking up his team's honesty and work-rate in securing a valuable World Cup qualification point against Denmark in Copenhagen, but only going so far.

From BBC

The code sets out the standards ministers are expected to uphold including honesty and integrity.

From BBC

Related Words

• candor 
• confidence 
• fairness 
• faithfulness 
• frankness 
• honor 
• integrity 
• loyalty 
• morality 
• probity 
• rectitude 
• responsibility 
• self-respect 
• sincerity 
• trustworthiness 
• veracity 
• virtue