HONESTLY
honestly, aboveboard
(adverb) in an honest manner; “in he can’t get it honestly, he is willing to steal it”; “was known for dealing aboveboard in everything”
honestly, candidly, frankly
(adverb) (used as intensives reflecting the speaker’s attitude) it is sincerely the case that; “honestly, I don’t believe it”; “candidly, I think she doesn’t have a conscience”; “frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adverb
honestly (comparative more honestly, superlative most honestly)
(manner) In an honest manner.
Frankly, to be honest.
Synonyms
• (honest manner): candidly, sincerely, truthfully; see also honestly
• (frankly): as a matter of fact, in point of fact, in truth; see also actually
Interjection
honestly
Used to express exasperation, dismay, etc.
Synonyms
• really
Anagrams
• on the sly
Source: Wiktionary
Hon"est*ly, adv.
1. Honorably; becomingly; decently. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. In an honest manner; as, a contract honestly made; to live
honestly; to speak honestly. Shak. To come honestly by. (a) To get
honestly. (b) A circumlocution for to inherit; as, to come honestly
by a feature, a mental trait, a peculiarity.
HONEST
Hon"est, a. Etym: [OE. honest, onest, OF. honeste, oneste, F.
honnĂŞte, L. honestus, fr. honos, honor, honor. See Honor.]
1. Decent; honorable; suitable; becoming. Chaucer.
Belong what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching! Shak.
2. Characterized by integrity or fairness and straightas, an honest
judge or merchant; an honest statement; an honest bargain; an honest
business; an honest book; an honest confession.
An honest man's the noblest work of God. Pope.
An honest physician leaves his patient when he can contribute no
farther to his health. Sir W. Temple.
Look ye out among you seven men of honest report. Acts vi. 3.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Rom. xii. 17.
3. Open; frank; as, an honest countenance.
4. Chaste; faithfuk; virtuous.
Wives may be merry, and yet honest too. Shak.
Syn.
– Upright; ingenuous; honorable; trusty; faithful; equitable; fair;
just; rightful; sincere; frank; candid; genuine.
Hon"est, v. t. Etym: [L. honestare to clothe or adorn with honor: cf.
F. honester. See Honest, a.]
Definition: To adorn; to grace; to honor; to make becoming, appropriate, or
honorable. [Obs.] Abp. Sandys.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition