The quality of being truthful and not cheating, stealing, or lying.
From Middle English “honeste,” from Old French “honesté,” from Latin “honestitas,” meaning “honor” or “respectability.” It originally focused more on social honor, then narrowed to personal truthfulness.
Honesty started out meaning something closer to “nobility” or “respectable behavior” than just “telling the truth.” When you’re honest, you’re not only accurate—you’re also living up to an older idea of honor.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.