1
2
a
: reputable, respectable
honest decent people
3
: worthy of praise
an honest day's work
put forth an honest effort
4
a
: marked by integrity
honest merchants
b
: marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression : frank
an honest appraisal
an honest discussion
1
: in a genuine or honest (see honest entry 1) manner : honestly
I have ever found thee honest true—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare2
: with all sincerity
I didn't do it, honest
Examples of honest in a Sentence
Adjective
He says that it's impossible to find an honest politician.
These criminals pose a danger to honest citizens.
He has an honest face.
Just give me an honest answer.
If you want my honest opinion, you should get a job.
To be perfectly honest, I don't want to go.
He gave us a painfully honest account of his childhood.
It was an honest error.
He still goes to the office every morning and puts in an honest day's work.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2025
There's a power to be honest, the power of celebrity.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
There is an organic, honest feeling to Paulsen’s training.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
She's also stayed honest about how movement has affected her mental health.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honest
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show current usage.
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Adjective
Other marketing, the kind of stuff that people who would need to seek out (like, oh, big fans of Bruce) is more honest, like this featurette all about Cooper’s approach to this specific time in The Boss’ life and career.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2025
There's a power to be honest, the power of celebrity.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
There is an organic, honest feeling to Paulsen’s training.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
She's also stayed honest about how movement has affected her mental health.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honest
Cite this Entry
“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honest. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
honest
1 of 2 adjective
hon·est
ˈän-əst 
1
: free from fraud or trickery : truthful
an honest plea
3
: good in the eyes of society : respectable
poor but honest people
4
honest
2 of 2 adverb
: to tell the truth : I mean it
I didn't do it, honest I didn't
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