Word

integrity

noun B2

/ɪnˈtɛɡɹəti/

Meanings

noun

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; doing the right thing even when it is difficult.

noun

The state of being whole, complete, or not damaged; soundness and reliability of something.

Definition

Integrity is the quality of being honest and consistently doing what is right.

Integrity means being truthful and having strong moral principles. A person with integrity keeps promises and follows rules even when no one is watching. It also suggests consistency between what someone says and what they do.

Examples

She showed integrity by admitting her mistake right away.
Integrity matters more than winning the argument.
The judge is known for integrity and fairness.
If you want trust, act with integrity every day.
The team questioned the integrity of the data after the error.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes use integrity to mean “privacy” or “confidentiality,” but integrity mainly means honesty or wholeness/soundness.