Etymology Map
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Honest

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means free of deceit; truthful

Where does the word "honest" come from? It comes from Latin honestus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
honestus
Latin · ancient
"honourable"
from 'honos', honour
2
Stage 2 of 3
honeste
Old French · medieval
"respectable"
meant respectable in social standing
3
Stage 3 of 3
honest
English · 1300s
"honourable; truthful"
the sense 'not lying' became dominant in the 1500s
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Read the full story

Honest’s story begins in Latin: honestus meant “honourable.” From 'honos', honour. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as honeste. Meant respectable in social standing. It reached English by 1300s as honest. The sense 'not lying' became dominant in the 1500s. Today, honest means free of deceit; truthful.