aboveboard

American  

[uh-buhv-bawrd, -bohrd] / əˈbʌvˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

adverb

1. in open sight; without tricks, concealment, or disguise.

   Their actions are open and aboveboard.

   Synonyms:

   straightforward, honest

   Antonyms:

   sneaky, underhanded, devious

---

aboveboard Idioms  

1. see open and aboveboard.

---

Etymology

Origin of aboveboard

1610–20; above + board; so called from the requirement of keeping the hands above the table or board in order to discourage possible cheating at cards

Explanation

If something is aboveboard, it's done in a completely honest, straightforward way. When a company's business dealings are aboveboard, they act in an honorable, open manner. It would be nice to think that everyone acts in a way that's aboveboard, but scandals involving money and shady business deals prove otherwise. You might say, "I don't trust that guy — it just doesn't seem aboveboard, the way he avoids answering my questions." This word was first used in the 17th century, reportedly from the idea that it's harder to cheat at cards if you keep your hand above the table, rather than hiding it in your lap.

Example Sentences

I just want to make sure everything is aboveboard and done properly.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

U.S. sanctions normally deter aboveboard oil traders, but a black market flourished.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

"China never interferes in other countries' internal affairs and always acts in an open and aboveboard manner," the Chinese embassy in London has previously said.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025

Shy’s employment history is largely aboveboard, but he’s done things for money that by his own admission are inexcusably vile.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2024

Gies & Co. still had some unaccounted-for thousand-guilder bills, which they used to pay their estimated taxes for the coming years, so everything seems to be aboveboard.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

Related Words

• trustworthy
• truthful