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integrity

in-TEG-ruh-tee /ɪnˈteɡ.rə.ti/

nounC1GRESATGMATTOEFLIELTS

formalprofessionalacademic

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. Also refers to the state of being whole, undivided, or unimpaired.

Integrity implies a wholeness of character where one's actions align perfectly with one's stated values, even when no one is watching. It can also refer to physical soundness (e.g., structural integrity).

The story behind the word. The word integrity comes from the Latin 'integer', meaning whole, untouched, or complete. It is the same root that gives us 'integer' in mathematics (a whole number). In a moral sense, a person of integrity is not fragmented; their public actions and private thoughts are part of a single, unbroken, and honest whole.

Word relationships

uprightness: Uprightness emphasizes moral correctness and honesty, but lacks the secondary meaning of physical wholeness or systemic consistency that integrity possesses.
probity: Probity is a more formal term that specifically denotes tried-and-tested honesty, often in a financial or official context, whereas integrity is broader and more personal.

corruption: Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, directly opposing the moral wholeness of integrity.
dishonesty: Dishonesty is a lack of truthfulness, which is a key component of a lack of integrity but does not capture the systemic fragmentation of character.

Commonly confused with

integration: Integration is the act of combining separate things into a whole, whereas integrity is the state of being whole and morally sound.

Word family

integrate (verb): To combine two or more things to make them more effective.
integral (adjective): Necessary to make a whole complete; essential.

Collocations

unquestionable integrity
personal integrity
structural integrity
maintain integrity

Idioms & expressions

a man of integrity
with integrity

Example sentences

"The voters respected her because she had never compromised her personal integrity for political gain." A discussion on political leadership and moral character.
"The structural integrity of the bridge was severely compromised by the recent earthquake." An engineering report on infrastructure safety.

Memory hook

Think of an 'integer' in math. Just as an integer is a whole number with no fractions, a person of integrity has a whole, undivided moral character with no fractions of dishonesty. Whole and undivided.

When not to use

Do not use integrity when you simply mean 'honesty' in a casual, one-off statement; integrity implies a deep, consistent, and systemic adherence to a moral code over time.

Fun facts

In ancient Rome, soldiers would strike their armor with a fist before battle; if it rang true, they would call out 'integritas', meaning it was whole, sound, and ready for combat.