/ ˈɒnɪst; NAmE ˈɑːn-/ adjective
1.
always telling the truth, and never stealing or cheating :
an honest man / woman
OPP dishonest
2.
honest (about sth) | honest (with sb) not hiding the truth about sth :
an honest answer
Are you being completely honest about your feelings?
Thank you for being so honest with me.
Give me your honest opinion.
To be honest (= what I really think is) , it was one of the worst books I've ever read.
Let's be honest , she's only interested in Mike because of his money.
3.
showing an honest mind or attitude :
She's got an honest face.
4.
( of work or wages ) earned or resulting from hard work :
He hasn't done an honest day's work in his life.
It's quite a struggle to make an honest living .
HELP NOTE : Use an , not a , before honest .
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IDIOMS
- honest!
- honest to God / goodness
- make an honest woman of sb
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SYNONYMS
honest
frank ♦ direct ♦ open ♦ outspoken ♦ straight ♦ blunt
These words all describe people saying exactly what they mean without trying to hide feelings, opinions or facts.
honest
not hiding the truth about sth:
Thank you for being so honest with me.
frank
honest in what you say, sometimes in a way that other people might not like:
To be frank with you, I think your son has little chance of passing the exam.
direct
saying exactly what you mean in a way that nobody can pretend not to understand:
You'll have to get used to his direct manner.
NOTE
Being direct is sometimes considered positive but sometimes it is used as a 'polite' way of saying that sb is rude.
open
( approving ) (of a person) not keeping thoughts and feelings hidden:
He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.
outspoken
saying exactly what you think, even if this shocks or offends people:
She was outspoken in her criticism of the plan.
straight
honest and direct:
I don't think you're being straight with me.
blunt
saying exactly what you think without trying to be polite:
She has a reputation for blunt speaking.
which word?
Honest and frank refer to what you say as much as how you say it:
a(n) honest / frank admission of guilt
. They are generally positive words, although it is possible to be too frank in a way that other people might not like. Direct , outspoken and blunt all describe sb's manner of saying what they think. Outspoken suggests that you are willing to shock people by saying what you believe to be right. Blunt and direct often suggest that you think honesty is more important than being polite. Open is positive and describes sb's character:
I'm a very open person.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to be honest / frank / direct / open / outspoken / straight / blunt
honest / frank / direct / open / outspoken / straight about sth
honest / frank / direct / open / straight / blunt with sb
a(n) honest / frank / direct / straight / blunt answer
a(n) frank / direct / open / outspoken / blunt person / manner
quite / very / really / extremely honest / frank / direct / open / outspoken / straight / blunt
rather frank / outspoken
To be/Let's be honest / frank / blunt... (= what I really think is...)
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (originally in the sense held in or deserving of honour ): via Old French from Latin honestus , from honos , honor .