noun
Common
integrity
ihn-TEHG-ruh-tee
Integrity (noun) means Firm adherence to honesty and strong moral principles. Example: “He showed real integrity when he admitted the mistake instead of blaming a colleague.”
noun
1
Firm adherence to honesty and strong moral principles.
"He showed real integrity when he admitted the mistake instead of blaming a colleague."
"She has a reputation for integrity and always keeps her word."
"A journalist's integrity depends on reporting facts truthfully."
2
The state of being whole, sound, and structurally undamaged.
"Cracks in the wall threatened the structural integrity of the old barn."
"Sailors tested the integrity of the hull before leaving harbour."
"Engineers checked the integrity of the bridge after the earthquake."
How to use integrity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing honest and principled, or (for objects/systems) being structurally sound and undamaged.
Common pairings
act with integrity
structural integrity
data integrity
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Word forms
- Plural
- integrities
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He showed real _____ when he admitted the mistake instead of blaming a colleague.
Etymology
From Latin integritas, "wholeness, soundness," from integer, "whole, untouched."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for integrity
See all rhymes for integrity →Frequently asked questions
What does “integrity” mean?
The word “integrity” means firm adherence to honesty and strong moral principles. In plain terms, being honest and principled, or (for objects/systems) being structurally sound and undamaged.
How do you pronounce “integrity”?
“Integrity” is pronounced ihn-TEHG-ruh-tee (/ɪnˈtɛɡɹəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “integrity” in a sentence?
Here is “integrity” used in a sentence: “She has a reputation for integrity and always keeps her word.”
What part of speech is “integrity”?
“Integrity” is a noun.
Where does the word “integrity” come from?
The word “integrity” comes from Latin. From Latin integritas, "wholeness, soundness," from integer, "whole, untouched.".
Is “integrity” a common word?
“Integrity” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “integrity” have?
“Integrity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: firm adherence to honesty and strong moral principles.
What is the difference between integrity and honesty?
Honesty is telling the truth and not deceiving others. Integrity is broader: it is firm adherence to honesty and strong moral principles as a consistent way of living. A person of integrity is honest, but also reliably principled even when no one is watching.
What is the difference between the moral and physical senses of 'integrity'?
One sense is moral: firm adherence to honesty and strong principles, as in 'a leader of integrity'. The other is physical: the state of being whole, sound, and undamaged, as in the integrity of a hull or a data file. Both trace back to the idea of being whole and unbroken.
What words commonly go with 'integrity'?
Common phrases include 'person of integrity', 'professional integrity', 'moral integrity', and 'personal integrity' in the ethical sense, and 'structural integrity' or 'data integrity' in the sense of wholeness. These collocations signal which meaning is intended.
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