c.1300, "respectable, decent, of neat appearance," also "free from fraud," from O.Fr. honeste (12c.), from L. honestus "honorable, respected," from honos (see honor). Main modern sense of "dealing fairly, truthful" is c.1400, as is sense of "virtuous." Phrase to make an honest woman of "marry a woman after seduction" is from 1629.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent; "honest lawyers"; "honest reporting" [ant: dishonest]
2.
without dissimulation; frank; "my honest opinion"
3.
worthy of being depended on; "a dependable worker"; "an honest working stiff"; "a reliable sourcSFLe of information"; "he was true to his word"; "I would be true for there are those who trust me" [syn: dependable]
4.
without pretensions; "worked at an honest trade"; "good honest food"
5.
marked by truth; "gave honest answers"; "honest reporting"
(of people or their behaviour, statements etc) truthful; not cheating, stealing etc Example: My secretary is absolutely honest; Give me an honest opinion.
Arabic:
صادِق، صحيح، نزيه
Chinese (Simplified):
诚实的
Chinese (Traditional):
誠實的
Czech:
poctivý
Danish:
ærlig
Dutch:
eerlijk, oprecht
Estonian:
aus
Finnish:
rehellinen
French:
honnête
German:
ehrlich
Greek:
τίμιος, ειλικρινής
Hungarian:
becsületes
Icelandic:
heiðarlegur
Indonesian:
jujur
Italian:
onesto
Japanese:
正直な
Korean:
정직한
Latvian:
godīgs; vaļsirdīgs
Lithuanian:
sąžiningas
Norwegian:
ærlig, hederlig, real
Polish:
uczciwy
Portuguese (Brazil):
honesto
Portuguese (Portugal):
honesto
Romanian:
sincer
Russian:
честный
Slovak:
čestný
Slovenian:
odkrit, pošten
Spanish:
honesto
Swedish:
ärlig, uppriktig
Turkish:
namuslu, dürüst, doğru
honest2[ˈonist]adjective
(of a person's appearance) suggesting that he is honest Example: an honest face
Arabic:
مُسْتَقيم، مُحْتَرَم
Chinese (Simplified):
诚实坦率的
Chinese (Traditional):
誠實坦率的
Czech:
upřímný
Danish:
ærlig
Dutch:
eerlijk, oprecht
Estonian:
siiras
Finnish:
vilpitön
French:
honnête
German:
ehrlich
Greek:
ειλικρινής
Hungarian:
nyílt
Icelandic:
heiðarlegur
Indonesian:
jujur
Italian:
onesto
Japanese:
正直そうな
Korean:
성실한
Latvian:
godīgs; atklāts
Lithuanian:
doras, atviras
Norwegian:
ærlig
Polish:
uczciwy, prawy
Portuguese (Brazil):
honesto
Portuguese (Portugal):
honesto
Romanian:
deschis
Russian:
открытый
Slovak:
úprimný
Slovenian:
odkrit
Spanish:
honesto
Swedish:
ärlig
Turkish:
dürüst, namuslu
honest3[ˈonist]adjective
(of wealth etc) not gained by cheating, stealing etc Example: to earn an honest living
De`ho*nes"tate\, v. t. [L. dehonestatus, p. p. of dehonestare to dishonor; de- + honestare to make honorable. Cf. Dishonest, and see Honest.] To disparage. [Obs.]
Hon"est\, a. [OE. honest, onest, OF. honeste, oneste, F. honn[^e]te, L. honestus, fr. honos, honor, honor. See Honor.]1. Decent; honorable; suitable; becoming. --Chaucer. Belong what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching! --Shak. 2. Characterized by integrity or fairness and straight?forwardness in conduct, thought, speech, etc.; upright; just; equitable; trustworthy; truthful; sincere; free from fraud, guile, or duplicity; not false; -- said of persons and acts, and of things to which a moral quality is imputed; as, an honest judge or merchant; an honest statement; an honest bargain; an honest business; an honest book; an honest confession. An honest man's the noblest work of God. --Pope. An honest physician leaves his patient when he can contribute no farther to his health. --Sir W. Temple. Look ye out among you seven men of honest report. --Acts vi. 3. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. --Rom. xii. 17. 3. Open; frank; as, an honest countenance. 4. Chaste; faithful; virtuous. Wives may be merry, and yet honest too. --Shak. Syn: Upright; ingenuous; honorable; trusty; faithful; equitable; fair; just; rightful; sincere; frank; candid; genuine.