honest

comparative more honest · comparative nonstandard honester · superlative most honest · nonstandard superlative honestest

1. Scrupulous with regard to telling the truth; not given to swindling, lying, or fraud; upright.

   brutally honest

   2 more examples

   We’re the most honest people you will ever come across.

   A true and honest physician is excused for leaving his patient, when he finds the disease grown desperate

   c. 1680, William Temple, Of Popular Discontents

2. True, especially as far as is known by the person making the statement; fair; unbiased.

   honest reporting

   1 more example

   an honest account of events

   Synonyms: truthful

3. In good faith; without malice.

   an honest mistake

4. Accurate.

   an honest scale

5. Authentic; full.

   an honest day's work

6. Earned or acquired in a fair manner.

   an honest dollar

7. Open; frank.

   an honest countenance

8. obsoleteDecent; honourable; suitable; becoming.

   Behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching!

   c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]

   2 more examples

   […] Vpon the verge of the Riuer there are fiue houſes, wherein liue the honeſter ſort of people, as Farmers in England, and they keepe continuall centinell for the townes ſecuritie.

   1624, William Simons, “The Gouernment Returned againe to Sir Thomas Gates, 1611”, in Iohn [i.e., John] Smith, The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles: […], London: […] I[ohn] D[awson] and I[ohn] H[aviland] for Michael Sparkes, →OCLC, 4th booke, page 111

   [T]here are Wolf-Whelps in Palaces, and Governments, as well as in Cottages, and Forreſts. […] They go out however, as there is Occaſion, and Hunt and Growle for Company; but at the ſame time, they give the Sign out of their Maſters hand, hold Intelligence with the Enemy; and Make uſe of their Power and Credit to Worry Honeſter Men them Themſelves.

   1692, Roger L’Estrange, “[The Fables of Æsop, &c.] Fab[le] CLV. A Shepherd and a Wolves Whelp [Reflexion].”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC, page 140

9. obsoleteChaste; faithful; virtuous.

   Wives may be merry, and yet honest too.

   c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]

present singular third person honests · participle present honesting · participle past honested · past honested

1. obsoleteTo adorn or grace; to honour; to make becoming, appropriate, or honourable.

   You have very much honested my lodging with your presence.

   1609 December (first performance), Beniamin Ionson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Epicoene, or The Silent Woman. A Comœdie. […]”, in The Workes of Beniamin Ionson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby, published 1616, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)

comparative more honest · superlative most honest

1. colloquialHonestly; really.

   It wasn’t my fault, honest.