Integrity
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; the state of being whole, undamaged, or undivided.
nounIntegrity
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; the state of being whole, undamaged, or undivided.
nounImagine This
Imagine a contractor who never cuts corners to protect the structural integrity of a bridge, and a student who returns a found wallet and tells the truth even when it would be easier to stay silent.
Sounds Like
in-TEG-ri-tee
Looks Like
Looks like 'integer' (same root meaning 'whole'); related to 'integral' and 'integrity' share the sense of wholeness.
Remember This
Integrity comes from a root meaning wholeness; it covers both honesty in character and the idea of being complete or undamaged.
Other Forms
Connect With
honesty, probity, uprightness, rectitude, moral character; data integrity; structural integrity
Note
In everyday use, integrity often refers to moral character (academic integrity, personal integrity) but can also mean the reliability or soundness of something (data integrity, the integrity of a system). Do not confuse with simply 'honesty' in every context; integrity includes consistency of actions, values, methods, and principles.
Study Deeper
- Her integrity prevented her from plagiarizing the essay.
- The engineer ensured the bridge's structural integrity after the renovation.
From Latin integritas 'wholeness, completeness', from integer 'whole'. The word entered English via Old French or directly from Latin, carrying the sense of unbroken wholeness and soundness.
In No Tremors, Every Gesture Reflects Integrity, Trust Yourself.
Next Word
Continue in alphabetical order.
Try a Random Word
Pick any word below to jump in.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Rectitude
nounMoral integrity; the quality of being honest and having strong ethical principles.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling