honesty

B1 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈɑ.nɪ.sti/ UK /ˈɒn.ɪ.sti/ See IPA manual

Freq #5275

Meanings

1

noun
The quality of being truthful and not cheating or lying.

I admire her honesty, even when the truth is hard.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the quality of being... truthfulness sincerity

Opposites

dishonesty

Word family

Derived forms overhonestyunhonesty

Appears in

Phrases (1)

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uncompromising honesty
truthfulness that refuses to bend even when being honest is difficult

Adjective + noun

Proverbs (3)

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Simplified etymology

Honesty entered English in the Middle English period and derives from Latin honor, also the source of honour and honest. The plant called honesty acquired its name in the late 16th century because the translucency of its seed pods symbolized a lack of deceit.

Etymology

From Middle English honeste (“honour, integrity”), from Old French honesté (compare modern French honnêteté) (honest + -y); the plant, from the visibility of the seeds through the translucent pods. Displaced native Old English sōþfæstnes; and non-native Middle English prodonomee, from Old French prodomie.

honeste Middle English honesté Old French

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Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# honesty

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈɑ.nɪ.sti/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈɒn.ɪ.sti/
**Frequency rank:** 5275

## Meanings
1. The quality of being truthful and not cheating or lying.

## Examples
- I admire her honesty, even when the truth is hard.

## Antonyms
- dishonesty

## Derived Forms
- overhonesty
- unhonesty

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: honeste
- Root: honesté
- Affix: -ty - state

## Etymology
From Middle English honeste (“honour, integrity”), from Old French honesté (compare modern French honnêteté) (honest + -y); the plant, from the visibility of the seeds through the translucent pods. Displaced native Old English sōþfæstnes; and non-native Middle English prodonomee, from Old French prodomie.

## AI Etymology
Honesty comes from Middle English honeste (“honour, integrity”), from Old French honesté (compare modern French honnêteté) (honest + -y); the plant, from the visibility of the seeds through the translucent pods. Displaced native Old English sōþfæstnes; and non-native Middle English prodonomee, from Old French prodomie. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern nominal form is built from the named base and affix. In current use, the main sense is “The quality of being truthful and not cheating or lying”.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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