adverb
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in an honest manner
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(intensifier)
I honestly don't believe it
interjection
Etymology
Origin of honestly
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English honestli(che) “honorably, respectably; respectfully; fittingly, properly”; honest, -ly
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.
“I think these will be, honestly, pretty straight forward,” the non profit executive said.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026
“Unless you were skiing beautiful powder and then hit this, honestly, I would challenge anybody to know the difference.”
From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026
He operates as if he honestly believes we don’t need allies, as if the concept is antique.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
"After the first days, I read the criticism and learnt… to go closer to the people, to let them ask questions and reply openly and honestly, which is rare in Hungarian politics."
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
My days are already full—too full, honestly, with working for Babs, reading, and homework—but I would figure something out if it meant I got to spend more time learning about whales and the ocean.
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
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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.