What does truthful mean?
Truthful is an adjective meaning honest, straightforward, and not deceptive. It is especially used to describe what a person says or how a person speaks: a truthful statement, answer, or account conveys information without deliberate distortion or concealment. The word is common in formal and informal English and generally carries a positive, approving connotation, although context determines whether honesty is welcome. Truthful primarily concerns a person’s intention not to mislead; it does not necessarily imply that everything someone says is accurate, complete, or free from error. The related adjective is useful when a situation specifically calls for candor or integrity, such as a truthful witness or a truthful description. Although truthful and honest overlap, truthful often places emphasis on what is being communicated, while honest can characterize a person’s general character or conduct.
adjectiveHonest and not deceptive, especially when speaking or describing something.
- Honest and straightforward in what one says, without deliberate deception or distortion.
"Her explanation was transparent and truthful, even when it was unflattering."
"The witness gave a truthful account of what she had seen."
"His answer was unexpectedly truthful, though it did not help his case."
Truthful is truth with the suffix “-ful”: literally, “full of truth.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does truthful come from?
Truthful was formed in English from true and the suffix “-ful,” giving it the literal sense “full of truth.” It belongs to a family of English words that includes truth and truly, all based on the same word for truth or reality.
Related word forms
How truthful is actually used
This is a neutral, widely used adjective that can describe people as well as statements, answers, and accounts. A truthful person intends not to deceive, but being truthful does not necessarily mean being completely accurate or free from mistakes.
Easily confused with truthful
Truthful means honest and not deceptive, whereas trustful means inclined to trust others and therefore sometimes overly credulous.