honesty
Americannoun
-
the quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness.
- Antonyms:
- dishonesty
-
truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness.
-
freedom from deceit or fraud.
-
Botany. a plant, Lunaria annua, of the mustard family, having clusters of purple flowers and semitransparent, satiny pods.
-
Obsolete. chastity.
noun
-
the condition of being honest
-
sincerity or fairness
-
archaic virtue or respect
-
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)
Related Words
See honor.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of honesty
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English honeste, from Middle French, from Latin honestās; see honest, -ty 2
Explanation
If you tell the truth, you possess the quality of honesty. If someone offers a harsh criticism of your latest attempt at songwriting, you might say, "Thank you for your honesty." Even if you don't mean it. The original meaning of honesty had more to do with honor than truthfulness, although the two are naturally linked. The trait of honesty has been prized for centuries, and Shakespeare once wrote, "Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honor, I lose myself." The honesty flower, sometimes called the money plant, is so named because its coin-shaped seedpods are translucent, the idea of transparency symbolizing integrity.
Vocabulary lists containing honesty
Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 5)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Glencoe Accounting: Real-World Applications & Connections," Vocabulary from Chapter 29
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Gather Vocabulary Knowledge, Unit 5
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"The President has directed federal agencies to review interpretive materials to ensure accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values," the department told AFP by e-mail.
From Barron's • May 17, 2026
"The man I got to know very well was a man of huge integrity, honesty and empathy," Moore said.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
I don’t know if Judge Lasnik had this experience, but, in my two decades as a federal judge, I don’t ever remember doubting the honesty of DOJ lawyers.
From Slate • May 12, 2026
He avoided directly criticizing Hilton but said he was the only person on the stage “that their entire existence in their job revolves around honesty, integrity.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
The most famous man in America, the man who had preached to her about honesty, the man who Maggie adored, had denied their love.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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.
