honestyhon‧es‧ty /ˈɒnəsti $ ˈɑːn-/ ●●○ noun [uncountable] 
a politician of rare honesty and courage2in all honesty used when telling someone that what you are saying is what you really think: It was not, in all honesty, a very good start.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "There's such an honesty about kids," says Eastin.
- Are you questioning my honesty?
- As a newspaper reporter I am committed to honesty and accuracy.
- He has a reputation for honesty and decency.
- Judy answered all the panel's questions with honesty and courage.
- the honesty of the song's lyrics
- But then his honesty about being HIV-positive is touchingly real and anything but theatrical.
- Neither is honesty an issue in politics.
- Others listen to find a rawness and honesty reminiscent of the punk music of their youth.
- Talk about impression management and honesty.
- That is, stress values like honesty, integrity and loyalty.
- These include theft and burglary, which involve questions of personal honesty.
Longman Language Activatorwhen someone behaves in an honest way
· Are you questioning my honesty?· Judy answered all the panel's questions with honesty and courage.· As a newspaper reporter I am committed to honesty and accuracy.
when you say or do things in a way that shows clearly that you honestly mean them: · "I'll do anything I can to help," she said with sincerity.· Nothing about his behavior leads me to doubt his sincerity.
when you are honest, friendly and happy to tell people the truth about yourself, especially about things that other people might be embarrassed to talk about: · Intimacy in a relationship requires openness.· The public expects complete openness from the President about his health.
British /candor American when you are honest about your opinions and feelings, even if other people disapprove of them: · Winik writes with great candor, which has won her a wide following.· After so many lies from politicians, Dunbar's candour is refreshing.
when you are very honest and always have the same moral principles in every situation: · Councilman Hughey's integrity is unquestioned.man/woman of integrity: · She is a woman of integrity who has never abandoned her principles for the sake of making money.
to speak honestly to be honest in what you say: · He wouldn't believe that I was telling the truth.· When you testify in court, you have to swear to tell the truth.tell somebody the truth: · Tell me the truth - does this dress make me look fat?
spoken say this before giving your honest opinion, especially when your opinion may sound unkind or surprising: · To be honest, I don't really like babies.· I wish I'd never met him, to be quite honest.· To be honest with you, I never expected him to get the job.· In all honesty, I've got no idea where she's living now.
spoken you say to be frank or frankly before giving your honest opinion, especially when your opinion may sound unkind or shocking : · To be frank, George isn't very good at the job.· Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.· Well, frankly, I think this proves that there are a lot of people making laws in this country who don't really know what they're doing.
to be honest with someone, especially when they have asked you to give them the correct story, reason etc: · I promise I won't get angry. Just level with me and tell me what happened.· I'm going to level with you - some of the other managers don't think you're ready for a promotion.
to be honest and give someone all the facts about a situation, even if they are unpleasant: · I told her straight that she was wrong. · The people who report to me have to be willing to tell it like it is.
to say exactly what you think even if it offends people: · She believes in speaking her mind, which makes her very unpopular.· Larry isn't afraid to speak his mind, even in front of the boss.
to say what you think in a way that you know might offend other people: · Helmut didn't mince any words in his criticism of the department.
to say exactly what you think about someone or something, especially in a situation where other people would be more polite: · Why not call a spade a spade and say that she's incompetent, if that's what you're thinking.
to speak honestly about someone or something, especially when you are criticizing them, without thinking about their feelings: · Rollins pulled no punches in his memoir, especially when writing about the political system.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He replied with brutal honesty.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
He replied with brutal honesty.· Will the erstwhile crimson-lipped peroxide devil-doll, the very anti-Madonna, be raging with paranoia and brutal honesty on her next record?· And the brutal honesty of his observations is sometimes lost in the attempt to make the words themselves beautiful.
· This part of building a successful presentation demands a degree of intellectual honesty that may test even the most confident manager.· This naturally takes a toll on intellectual honesty.· Teachers need to retain intellectual honesty.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- In all honesty, I'm thinking of taking another year off.
- But in all honesty... he needs a long rest.
- It was not, in all honesty, an auspicious debut.
- Many have been produced in all honesty as book illustrations or in celebration of some interesting event or anniversary.
WORD FAMILYnounhonesty ≠ dishonestyadjectivehonest ≠ dishonestadverbhonestly ≠ dishonestly
1the quality of being honest OPP dishonesty: a politician of rare honesty and courage2in all honesty used when telling someone that what you are saying is what you really think: It was not, in all honesty, a very good start.