Words / B1

ON-ist/ˈɒnɪst/

Honest means telling the truth and not stealing or cheating: an honest answer; be honest about what happened; an honest living. Truthful is close for speech; sincere stresses that feelings are real. Dishonest is the opposite. Honesty is the noun. To be honest is a spoken phrase for a frank opinion. Honestly is the adverb. Do not write “honest to say” — use honest about + noun, or it is honest of someone to + verb.

Meaning

Telling the truth and not stealing or cheating.

Examples

• “Please be honest about what happened.”
• “She gave an honest answer, even though it was awkward.”
• “To be honest, I did not enjoy the film.”

Good to know

be honest about. an honest answer / living. Noun: honesty. Opposite: dishonest. Speech twin: truthful. Phrase: to be honest.

Near in meaning

truthful

New