French word

honnêteté

Pronunciation

IPA/onɛtte/

Meaning

  • feminine nounhonesty

Example

Son honnêteté ne fait aucun doute.

Their honesty is beyond doubt.

Illustration for honnêteté (honesty)

More examples

Elle a fait preuve d'honnêteté en avouant son erreur.

She showed honesty by admitting her mistake.

Core concept

A steady open hand that tells the truth and acts loyally, even when no one is watching.

Common phrases

  • faire preuve d'honnêteté

    show honesty

  • manquer d'honnêteté

    lack honesty

Similar words

sincérité: Openly expressing genuine thoughts and feelings without lying.
intégrité: Consistently acting according to strong moral principles.
franchise: Expressing opinions and feelings directly and without reserve.
loyauté: Remaining faithful and dependable toward a person or group.

Definition in French

Vertu qui se manifeste par la franchise et la loyauté, impliquant le respect de la vérité et une conduite intègre.

Word origin

The noun comes through Old French from Latin honestas, while modern -té marks the quality associated with honnête.

Usage tips

  • Honnête may mean decent or respectable as well as honest, but honnêteté normally concerns moral conduct.

Opposites

  • malhonnêtetédishonestynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word