Honesty
/ˈɒn.ə.sti/noun
The quality of being truthful, sincere, and free from deceit.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces back to Latin *honor*, so its oldest sense is less about private morality and more about social standing, dignity, and the power of being seen as worthy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kóh₂n-os
“esteem, honor”
Latin
Latin
honor
“esteem, public respect, dignity”
Old French
Old French
honeste
“honorable, respectable, decent”
Middle English
English
honeste
“honorable, virtuous, decent”
Late Middle English
English
honesty
“honorable behavior; moral uprightness”
Modern English
English
honesty
“truthfulness and freedom from deceit”