honestly

[ on-ist-lee ]
See synonyms for honestly on Thesaurus.com
adverb
  1. in an honest, truthful, or sincere manner: Parents are encouraged to speak honestly with their kids about drugs and alcohol.

  2. actually; truly: She was honestly surprised that he’d remembered their anniversary at all.

interjection
  1. (used to express mild exasperation, disbelief, dismay, etc.): Honestly! I want to finish this work, and you keep interrupting.

Origin of honestly

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English honestli(che) “honorably, respectably; respectfully; fittingly, properly”; see origin at honest, -ly

Words Nearby honestly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use honestly in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for honestly

honestly

/ (ˈɒnɪstlɪ) /


adverb
  1. in an honest manner

  2. (intensifier): I honestly don't believe it

interjection
  1. an expression of disgust, surprise, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012