honest

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'honest' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone who doesn't lie, cheat, or steal, and is truthful in all their dealings. For example: "John is an honest person - you can always trust him to be open and truthful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is really important for the party that it is not defensive about the past but is absolutely honest and clear-eyed and faces up to the truth of what people are saying".

The Guardian

Asked if she expected Ukip to run have Labour so close, she said: "To be honest with you I have been through more or less every scenario.

The Guardian

When asked who was coming after Schott, Costa replied: "He did mention it was someone on the central coast and I dismissed it, to be honest".

The Guardian

It's honest.

The New York Times

"You have to be honest".

The New York Times

That's the honest truth.

The New York Times - Sports

Though each of them had a very distinct reaction to the challenges of making art that seemed honest and relevant to the present moment, it was also true that in talking to the four of them separately, common themes emerged.

The Guardian

"I've got to put it to you, Mr Di Girolamo, that you're not being honest about that," O'Mahoney said.

The Guardian

I've found these weekly election diaries a struggle, to be honest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Photograph: Mike Bowers Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 10.41am AEST01 41 There is a little bit more honest assessment by Liberal backbenchers of their own legislation in the senate this morning.

The Guardian

Wistrich said: "The officers who shot Jean Charles have a defence if they had an honest belief that they were under imminent threat, even if they were mistaken and their mistake was wholly unreasonable".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business contexts, highlighting that a company or its practices are "honest" can build trust with consumers and stakeholders.

Common error

Avoid starting sentences with "To be honest" too frequently, as it can sound insincere or suggest that you are not always truthful. Instead, integrate honesty naturally into your statements.

Linguistic Context

The word "honest" functions primarily as an adjective, describing a quality or characteristic of a noun. It signifies truthfulness, integrity, and a lack of deceit. Ludwig AI confirms its typical adjective use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "honest" is a common and essential term in the English language, denoting truthfulness and integrity. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, primarily functioning as an adjective to describe people, actions, or statements. It carries a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, with a primary function of building trust and conveying reliability. While generally used in news and media, being "honest" is a valuable attribute in all fields. When using "honest", be mindful of overuse as a filler and ensure its genuine integration into your writing for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truthful

Focuses specifically on adherence to facts.

sincere

Emphasizes genuineness and lack of pretense.

veracious

Highlights a consistent habit of telling the truth.

trustworthy

Implies reliability and dependability.

forthright

Suggests directness and candor in communication.

upright

Conveys moral integrity and adherence to ethical principles.

genuine

Stresses authenticity and freedom from artifice.

candid

Indicates openness and frankness, sometimes to the point of bluntness.

honorable

Highlights adherence to a code of conduct and ethical behavior.

fair

Focuses on impartiality and justness in dealings.

FAQs

How to use "honest" in a sentence?

You can use "honest" to describe someone who tells the truth, such as, "She is an "honest" person and always keeps her word." It can also describe actions or statements, like "That was an "honest" mistake".

What can I say instead of "honest"?

You can use alternatives like "truthful", "sincere", or "genuine" depending on the specific context. Each word carries slightly different nuances.

Which is correct, "honest person" or "honest individual"?

Both "honest person" and "honest individual" are correct. "Honest person" is more common and generally preferred for its simplicity.

What's the difference between "honest" and "honorable"?

"Honest" primarily relates to truthfulness, while "honorable" describes someone who adheres to a code of conduct and demonstrates moral integrity. One can be honest without being honorable, and vice versa, though they often overlap.