How to pronounce honest
Say it like ON-ust. Honest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce honest. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ON
- ust
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The h is silent, so it starts with a vowel: 'ON-ist'. That is why we say 'an honest mistake'.
Honest pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ustKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of honest
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: ON-ist.
What does honest mean?
- not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent“honest lawyers”“honest reporting”
- without dissimulation; frank“my honest opinion”
- worthy of being depended on“a dependable worker”“an honest working stiff”
Where does honest come from?
From Middle English honest, honeste (“honorable, appropriate, excellent”), from Old French honeste, from Latin honestus, from honor.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying honest
How do you pronounce honest?
Say ON-ust. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑnəst/. In British English it is /ˈɒnɪst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in honest?
Honest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ON). Broken into parts: ON · ust.
Is honest pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈɒnɪst/ (ON-ist).