Honest
/ˈɒn.ɪst/noun
Free of deceit or fraud; truthful and sincere.
Did you know?In Latin, honestus meant “honorable” or “respectable,” and the word’s history is tied to public status and moral reputation before it narrowed into today’s idea of truthfulness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱens-
“to esteem, value, honor”
Latin
Latin
honor
“esteem, public honor, office”
Latin
Latin
honestus
“honorable, respectable, decent”
Old French
Old French
honeste
“decent, virtuous, honorable”
Middle English
English
honeste
“decent, honorable, chaste”
Modern English
English
honest
“truthful, free from deceit”