hon ‧ est ‧ ly S2 /ˈɒnəstli, ˈɒnɪstli $ ˈɑːn-/ BrE AmE adverb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ honesty ≠ ↑ dishonesty ; adverb : ↑ honestly ≠ ↑ dishonestly ; adjective : ↑ honest ≠ ↑ dishonest ]
1 . used to emphasize that what you are saying is true, even though it may seem surprising:
I honestly don’t know how old my parents are.
I can honestly say that I never worry about him now.
2 . spoken used when you are shocked or annoyed by something someone has said or done SYN really :
Honestly! Do you ever listen?
3 . spoken used to try to make someone believe that what you have just said is true:
It wasn’t me, honestly!
4 . in an honest way SYN truthfully :
Tell me honestly, Kate, what do you think of John?
We talked openly and honestly.
‘No, I don’t,’ she answered honestly.