in a truthful and sincere way, without lying or cheating
Please tell me honestly—did you eat the last cookie?
She answered the police officer honestly about what she saw.
✦ Derived from the adjective "honest" + adverbial suffix "-ly"; first recorded in Middle English around the 14th century.
used to emphasize that what you are saying is true or to introduce a frank opinion
Honestly, I think this is the best pizza in town.
You should honestly try talking to your parents about it.
an exclamation showing annoyance, disbelief, or impatience
Honestly! Can you stop making so much noise?
Honestly, these buses are always late.
Behaviour that is not honest, especially deliberately deceiving or cheating someone.
The teacher punished the student for his dishonesty in the exam.
Her dishonesty about the missing money shocked her friends.
✦ Mid-16th century: from dishonest + -ness.
