Frankly
adv.thoughtful, capableprofessional
What it means
In an honest and direct manner.
Reach for it when introducing or describing honest and direct speech
She frankly explained the delay and offered a new date.
Choose between these
6- everyday
bluntly
the speaker deliberately avoids softening
not when Bluntly signals possible insensitivity and is not praise.
- everyday
truthfulness is the simple point
not when Honestly can function as filler or imply previous dishonesty.
- everyday
plainly
clear unornamented statement is intended
not when Plainly can sound condescending when disagreement remains reasonable.
- warm
information is shared without concealment
not when Openly does not guarantee accuracy or direct wording.
- professional
candidly
openness despite discomfort deserves emphasis
not when Candidly can announce a harsher opinion than the context needs.
- formal
forthrightly
directness without evasion is central
not when The long formal adverb sounds heavy in conversation.
Said against
3- evasively
- dishonestly
- guardedly
It naturally appears in
3- speak frankly
The treasurer agreed to speak frankly.
- frankly admit
She frankly admitted the estimate was incomplete.
- quite frankly
Quite frankly, the shorter route is safer.
The word family
1Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English adverb sense: openly and honestly opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.