How to Sign Honest and Honestly

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), HONEST is commonly signed by placing the extended index and middle fingers of your dominant hand on the palm of your other hand and sliding them forward along it. The English adverb “honestly” usually does not have its own separate sign. Signers typically use the same HONEST sign, or a related sign such as TRUE, and convey the adverb’s meaning through context and facial expression.

This guide covers ASL, the sign language most widely used in the United States. Other sign languages, such as British Sign Language or Auslan, are separate languages with their own vocabulary. If you are communicating with someone who uses a different sign language, the signs described here may not apply.

How to sign HONEST in ASL

HONEST uses the H handshape. A handshape is the particular shape your hand holds during a sign. For H, extend your index and middle fingers straight and together, and curl your ring finger and pinky into your palm with your thumb resting over them. This is the same handshape used for the letter H in the ASL manual alphabet.

• Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of your body, palm facing up, fingers pointing forward or slightly toward your dominant side.
• Form the H handshape with your dominant hand.
• Place the tips or the edge of the two extended fingers near the heel of your flat palm, the part closest to your wrist.
• Slide the two fingers forward along your palm toward your fingertips in one smooth motion.
• Keep a sincere, neutral facial expression as you sign.

Some signers repeat the forward slide or make the movement shorter, and descriptions differ slightly on exact finger orientation. These are normal variations rather than mistakes.

How to express “honestly”

English uses “honestly” in several ways, and the meaning you intend changes how it is usually expressed in ASL. ASL generally does not mark adverbs with a suffix the way English adds “-ly,” so the choice depends on what you mean.

Intended meaning | English example | How it is commonly expressed in ASL

In a sincere or truthful way | “She answered honestly.” | The HONEST sign, placed in context

“To be honest” or “truthfully” | “Honestly, I didn’t like it.” | HONEST or TRUE at the start of the statement, with a sincere expression

Disbelief or exasperation | “Honestly? You forgot again?” | Carried mainly by facial expression; a direct translation of the word is often unnecessary

TRUE, mentioned above, is commonly signed by moving the side of your extended index finger forward from your lips. Because the right choice depends on the sentence and the person you are signing with, treat this table as a starting point rather than a fixed rule.

How to check that you are signing it correctly

• Compare your handshape with a reference image of the ASL letter H. Both extended fingers should be straight and touching.
• Watch yourself in a mirror or record a short clip and compare the movement with a video from a reputable ASL dictionary or course. A still photo cannot show the direction of movement.
• Confirm that your two fingers travel along the palm, from the heel toward the fingertips, rather than tapping or moving away from the hand.
• Ask a Deaf signer or a qualified ASL instructor for feedback. This is the most reliable check, because they can confirm the sign and point out any regional preference.

Limitations of this guide

No specific source evidence was supplied for this article. The descriptions above reflect commonly documented ASL usage, but written instructions cannot fully capture movement, rhythm and facial expression. Signs can also vary by region, age group and community. Before relying on these signs in an important conversation, verify them with a video reference from a reputable ASL resource or with a fluent Deaf signer.