honesty

American  

[on-uh-stee] / ˈɒn ə sti /

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 British  

/ 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)

---

Related Words

See honor.

Other Word Forms

• overhonesty noun

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.

Example Sentences

Legendary Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was known for brutal honesty and unyielding perfectionism that led to culture-changing devices.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

But the price of that honesty has always been steep.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

"We even want to get into the place of full transparency - which is more than just honesty."

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Teaching the role of religion in that history isn’t a religious project but an exercise in intellectual honesty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"So I haven't had time to conduct an exhaustive study. But in all honesty, Anastasia, I have to tell you that I think he will probably wet his diapers a whole lot."

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry

Related Words

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