Honest vs. Honestly

(of a person or institution) Scrupulous with regard to telling the truth; not given to swindling, lying, or fraud; upright.

Example: ‘We're the most honest people you will ever come across.’;

(of a statement) True, especially as far as is known by the person making the statement; fair; unbiased.

Example: ‘an honest account of events; honest reporting’;

In good faith; without malice.

Example: ‘an honest mistake’;

(of a measurement device) Accurate.

Example: ‘an honest scale’;

Authentic; full.

Example: ‘an honest day's work’;

Earned or acquired in a fair manner.

Example: ‘an honest dollar’;

Open; frank.

Example: ‘an honest countenance’;

(obsolete) Decent; honourable; suitable; becoming.

(obsolete) Chaste; faithful; virtuous.

(obsolete) To adorn or grace; to honour; to make becoming, appropriate, or honourable.

(colloquial) Honestly; really.

Example: ‘It wasn’t my fault, honest.’;

Decent; honorable; suitable; becoming.

Example: ‘Belong what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching!’;

Characterized by integrity or fairness and straightforwardness in conduct, thought, speech, etc.; upright; just; equitable; trustworthy; truthful; sincere; free from fraud, guile, or duplicity; not false; - said of persons and acts, and of things to which a moral quality is imputed; as, an honest judge or merchant; an honest statement; an honest bargain; an honest business; an honest book; an honest confession.

Example: ‘An honest man's the noblest work of God.’; ‘An honest physician leaves his patient when he can contribute no farther to his health.’; ‘Look ye out among you seven men of honest report.’; ‘Provide things honest in the sight of all men.’;

Open; frank; as, an honest countenance.

Chaste; faithful; virtuous.

Example: ‘Wives may be merry, and yet honest too.’;

To adorn; to grace; to honor; to make becoming, appropriate, or honorable.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent;

Example: ‘honest lawyers’; ‘honest reporting’; ‘an honest wage’; ‘honest weight’;

without dissimulation; frank;

Example: ‘my honest opinion’;

worthy of being depended on;

Example: ‘a dependable worker’; ‘an honest working stiff’; ‘a reliable source of information’; ‘he was true to his word’; ‘I would be true for there are those who trust me’;

free from guile;

Example: ‘his answer was simple and honest’;

without pretensions;

Example: ‘worked at an honest trade’; ‘good honest food’;

habitually speaking the truth;

Example: ‘an honest man’; ‘a veracious witness’;

marked by truth;

Example: ‘gave honest answers’;

(manner) In an honest manner.

Example: ‘He answered the questions honestly.’;

Frankly, to be honest.

Example: ‘Honestly, I didn't believe a word she said.’;

Used to express exasperation, dismay, etc.

Example: ‘Honestly! I want to finish this work and you keep interrupting.’;

Honorably; becomingly; decently.

In an honest manner; as, a contract honestly made; to live honestly; to speak honestly.

(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that;

Example: ‘honestly, I don't believe it’; ‘candidly, I think she doesn't have a conscience’; ‘frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn’;

in an honest manner;

Example: ‘in he can't get it honestly, he is willing to steal it’; ‘was known for dealing aboveboard in everything’;