hon‧est S1 W3 / ɒnəst, ɒnɪst $ ɑn- / 形容词

1 character someone who is honest always tells the truth and does not cheat or steal 反义词 dishonest :

He was a hard-working honest man.

Ann had an honest face.

2 statement/answer etc not hiding the truth or the facts about something 同义词 frank :

Do you want my honest opinion?

an honest answer

Let’s be honest : the only reason she married him was for his money.

honest with

At least he was honest with you.

honest about

She was always very honest about her feelings. → see Thesaurus box on p. 844

3 to be honest (with you) spoken used when you tell someone what you really think :

To be honest, I don’t like him very much.

4 honest! spoken used to try to make someone believe you :

I didn’t mean to hurt him, honest!

5 honest to God spoken used to emphasize that something you say is true :

Honest to God, I wasn’t there.

6 work honest work is done using your own efforts and without cheating :

I bet he’s never done an honest day’s work in his life!

I’m just trying to earn an honest living .

7 ordinary good people honest people are not famous or special, but behave in a good, socially acceptable way :

She came from a good honest working-class background.

8 make an honest woman (out) of somebody old-fashioned to marry a woman because you have had a sexual relationship with her

THESAURUS

not cheating, stealing, lying etc

honest always saying what is true, and not cheating, stealing etc : I liked them because they were good honest people. | You can trust Noah – he’s totally honest.

reputable known to be honest and good in your business or work – used about people, companies, or organizations : It’s best to buy from a reputable company. | They were highly reputable sports physicians.

above board [名词前不用] honest and legal – used about the way something is done, organized etc : The deal was entirely above board. | Was the voting in the elections above board?

upright written always behaving in an honest way : an upright citizen | George was an upright man from a military family.

not hiding the truth or the facts

honest saying what you really think and not hiding the truth or the facts : I’m going to ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me. | an honest answer | To be honest, I didn’t think his speech was very good.

straight informal honest and saying what you really think : I can’t help you if you’re not straight with me. | I need a straight answer.

open willing to talk about what you think, feel etc in an honest way, rather than trying to hide it : People have become more open about their feelings. | She’s very easy to talk to because she’s so open.

frank speaking honestly and directly about something, especially something that people find difficult to discuss : In his book, he’s brutally frank about his experience with his illness. | a frank discussion about sex

direct saying exactly what you think in an honest clear way, even when this might annoy or upset people : Not everyone liked his direct manner. | She can be very direct.

blunt speaking in a completely honest way, even if it upsets people, when it would be better to be more careful or polite : Sorry if I was a bit blunt with you. | His hard tone and blunt words were hurtful. | She didn’t reply and I knew I had been too blunt.

upfront [名词前不用] informal talking and behaving in an honest way, even when it is difficult to do this, in a way that people respect : It’s best to be upfront about your financial problems. | You have to be upfront with kids.

outspoken expressing your opinions publicly in a very direct way, which may offend or annoy some people : an outspoken critic of the government | He was known for his outspoken views on various controversies.

forthright formal saying exactly what what you think, without being afraid of what other people will think : The opposition have not come up with a clear forthright statement of their policies. | At times, Helena was a little too forthright.

candid formal honest about the facts, or about your opinions and feelings, even if other people disapprove of them : He’d always been completely candid about his past. | It was an unusually candid admission for a politician.