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Honest vs Conscientious - What's the difference?

honest | conscientious |

As adjectives the difference between honest and conscientious

is that honest is scrupulous with regard to telling the truth; not given to swindling, lying, or fraud; upright while conscientious is thorough, careful, or vigilant; implies a desire to do a task well.

As a verb honest

is to adorn or grace; to honour; to make becoming, appropriate, or honourable.

honest

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • (of a person or institution) Scrupulous with regard to telling the truth; not given to swindling, lying, or fraud; upright.
  • We're the most honest people you will ever come across.
  • * Sir W. Temple
  • An honest physician leaves his patient when he can contribute no farther to his health.
  • (of a statement) True, especially as far as is known by the person making the statement; fair; unbiased.
  • an honest''' account of events''; '''''honest reporting
  • In good faith; without malice.
  • an honest mistake
  • (of a measurement device) Accurate.
  • an honest scale
  • Authentic; full.
  • an honest day's work
  • Earned or acquired in a fair manner.
  • an honest dollar
  • Open; frank.
  • an honest countenance
  • (obsolete) Decent; honourable; suitable; becoming.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching!
    (Chaucer)
  • (obsolete) Chaste; faithful; virtuous.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Wives may be merry, and yet honest too.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * dishonest

    Derived terms

    * honest as the day is long * honesty

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To adorn or grace; to honour; to make becoming, appropriate, or honourable.
  • (Archbishop Sandys)
  • * (Ben Jonson)
  • You have very much honested my lodging with your presence.

    conscientious

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Thorough, careful, or vigilant; implies a desire to do a task well.
  • He was a thoughtful and conscientious worker.

    Antonyms

    * capricious * impulsive

    Derived terms

    * conscientiously * conscientiousness * conscientious objector