1hon·est 
/ˈɑ:nəst/ adjective
/ˈɑ:nəst/ adjective [more honest; most honest] 1 a : good and truthful : not lying, stealing, or cheating
▪ They are honest people. ▪ He says that it's impossible to find an honest politician. ▪ These criminals pose a danger to honest citizens. — opposite dishonest
b : showing or suggesting a good and truthful character
▪ He has an honest face. — opposite dishonest 2 : not hiding the truth about someone or something : not meant to deceive someone
▪ Just give me an honest answer. ▪ an honest reply ▪ If you want my honest opinion, you should get a job. ▪ To be perfectly/quite honest, I don't want to go. ▪ You shouldn't be afraid of a little honest criticism. [=criticism that is based on facts] ▪ I'd be less than honest [=I would be lying] if I told you there won't be problems. ▪ He gave us a painfully/brutally/refreshingly honest account of his childhood. ▪ I don't think these people are being honest with me. [=I don't think they're telling me the truth] — opposite dishonest 3 a : not deserving blame : not done with the intent of hurting or harming anyone
▪ It was an honest error/mistake.
b : done using your own work or effort
▪ He still goes to the office every morning and puts in an honest day's work. : not gotten by cheating, lying, etc. ▪ He's just trying to earn an honest living. [=he is trying to earn a good amount of money for his hard work] ▪ These people work hard, and they deserve an honest wage. [=an amount of money that is fair for the work that is done] 4 : plain and good : not fancy
▪ The restaurant prides itself on serving simple, honest food.
▪ They are honest people. ▪ He says that it's impossible to find an honest politician. ▪ These criminals pose a danger to honest citizens. — opposite dishonest
b : showing or suggesting a good and truthful character
▪ He has an honest face. — opposite dishonest
▪ Just give me an honest answer. ▪ an honest reply ▪ If you want my honest opinion, you should get a job. ▪ To be perfectly/quite honest, I don't want to go. ▪ You shouldn't be afraid of a little honest criticism. [=criticism that is based on facts] ▪ I'd be less than honest [=I would be lying] if I told you there won't be problems. ▪ He gave us a painfully/brutally/refreshingly honest account of his childhood. ▪ I don't think these people are being honest with me. [=I don't think they're telling me the truth] — opposite dishonest
▪ It was an honest error/mistake.
b : done using your own work or effort
▪ He still goes to the office every morning and puts in an honest day's work. : not gotten by cheating, lying, etc. ▪ He's just trying to earn an honest living. [=he is trying to earn a good amount of money for his hard work] ▪ These people work hard, and they deserve an honest wage. [=an amount of money that is fair for the work that is done]
▪ The restaurant prides itself on serving simple, honest food.
make an honest woman of (someone) or make (someone) an honest woman
old-fashioned + humorous : to marry (a woman, especially a woman you have already had sex with)
▪ When will he finally make an honest woman of her?
▪ When will he finally make an honest woman of her?
