Integrity
noun/ɪnˈtɛɡɹəti/Integrity means being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to compromise. A person with integrity does the right thing consistently — even when it is difficult, and even when no one is watching them.
Many learners ask whether "integrity" just means honesty. It's close, but there's a difference worth knowing: honesty is what you say, while integrity is how you live. Honesty is telling the truth in the moment; integrity is sticking to your moral principles consistently — doing the right thing even when it's hard, and even when no one is watching.
A simple way to feel the difference: honesty is admitting you made a mistake. Integrity is admitting it, taking responsibility for it, and then making it right. You can't have integrity without honesty, but you can be honest without having full integrity.
Is “integrity” positive or negative?
“Integrity” is a positive word — a compliment. Calling someone "a person of integrity" is one of the highest compliments in English — it signals they are trustworthy, principled, and reliable. It is almost always used to praise.
The different meanings of “integrity”
“She showed real integrity by admitting the mistake was hers, even though no one would have known.”
“The earthquake damaged the bridge's structural integrity.”
“Regular backups protect the integrity of the company's data.”
“The treaty guaranteed the territorial integrity of the country.”
Integrity in a sentence
- “He is a man of great integrity.
- “She had the integrity to refuse the bribe, even though no one would have found out.
- “Academic integrity means doing your own work and giving credit to your sources.
- “The company's whole reputation is built on honesty and integrity.
- “Good journalists report with integrity, even when the story is unpopular.
- “It took real integrity to tell the customer the truth about the fault.
Common phrases with “integrity”
Words similar to “integrity” (and how they differ)
Truthfulness — the closest everyday synonym, but narrower. Integrity adds acting on your morals, not just telling the truth.
“Honesty is the foundation of any real friendship.”
A strong personal sense of what is right, often tied to reputation, duty, and keeping your word.
“He felt honor-bound to keep the promise he had made.”
Formal. Complete honesty and strong moral principles, especially in an official or public role.
“The judge was respected for her probity.”
Formal. Morally correct behaviour; strict adherence to what is right.
“He was admired for his moral rectitude.”
The quality of being honest and behaving in a decent, moral way.
“Her uprightness earned the trust of everyone she worked with.”
A firm moral rule you live by. "A person of principle" is very close to "a person of integrity."
“She refused to lie, purely on principle.”
Opposites of “integrity”
Word family
Necessary and essential to something ("an integral part of the team"). Same Latin root — "whole" — but a different meaning; it is not about honesty.
To combine separate parts into a whole. Shares the "whole" root, but unrelated to the moral sense.
A whole number in maths — the clearest survivor of the original Latin meaning, "whole, complete."
Where the word comes from
From Latin integritas — "wholeness, soundness" — from integer, meaning "whole, complete." The idea behind the moral sense: a person of integrity is morally "whole" and undivided, the same on the inside as the outside.
Frequently asked
Is integrity a positive or negative word?
Integrity is strongly positive. Describing someone as "a person of integrity" is a high compliment — it means they are honest, principled, and trustworthy.
What is a simple definition of integrity?
Integrity is being honest and sticking to your moral principles — doing the right thing even when it is hard or no one is watching.
What is the difference between integrity and honesty?
Honesty is telling the truth in the moment. Integrity is broader: it means living by your moral values consistently. Honesty is admitting a mistake; integrity is admitting it, taking responsibility, and making it right. You can be honest without full integrity, but you can't have integrity without honesty.
Can integrity have more than one meaning?
Yes. The everyday meaning is moral (being honest and principled), but "integrity" also means physical soundness ("structural integrity" of a building) and, in computing, the accuracy of data ("data integrity"). All come from the Latin root meaning "whole."
What is a stronger or more formal word for integrity?
For formal writing, "probity" and "rectitude" carry a similar, elevated meaning. In everyday English, "honesty" and "principle" are the closest simple synonyms.
How do you use integrity in a sentence?
For example: "She showed real integrity by admitting the mistake was hers," or "The company is built on honesty and integrity."