honestly
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English honestly, honestlyche, honestliche, equivalent to honest + -ly.
Pronunciation edit
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈɑnɪstli/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɒnɪstli/
Audio (Southern England) (file) - Hyphenation: hon‧est‧ly
Audio (US) (file)
Adverb edit
honestly (comparative more honestly, superlative most honestly)
- (manner) In an honest manner.
- He answered the questions honestly.
- Frankly, to be honest.
- Honestly, I didn't believe a word she said.
Synonyms edit
- (honest manner): candidly, sincerely, truthfully; see also Thesaurus:honestly
- (frankly): as a matter of fact, in all honesty, in point of fact, in truth; see also Thesaurus:actually
Translations edit
in an honest manner
|
(speech act) frankly
|
Interjection edit
honestly
- Used to express exasperation, dismay, etc.
- Honestly! I want to finish this work and you keep interrupting.
Synonyms edit
Translations edit
used to express exasperation or dismay
Anagrams edit
Middle English edit
Alternative forms edit
- honesteliche, honestelie, honestely, honestli, honestliche, honestlyche, onestelike, onestely, onestli, onestly
Etymology edit
From honeste (“honourable, appropriate, excellent”) + -ly (adverbial suffix).
Pronunciation edit
Adverb edit
honestly
- honourably, respectfully, nobly
- respectably, appropriately, politely
- tastefully, splendidly
- ethically, virtuously
Descendants edit
- English: honestly
References edit
- “honestlī(che, adv.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.