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

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

Continuing to repeat this reflects a lack of knowledge, empathy, or honesty,” Adams wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

If creating doesn’t have that playful factor, if it doesn’t translate honesty, then it becomes so intellectualized.

From Los Angeles Times

Even in that, these depictions aren’t equal in quality or honesty.

From Salon

Related Words

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