candid

adjective

can·did | \ ˈkan-dəd

Definition of candid

1a : marked by honest sincere expression a candid discussion

b : disposed to criticize severely : blunt candid critics

c : indicating or suggesting sincere honesty and absence of deception her candid face

2 : free from bias, prejudice, or malice : fair a candid observer

3 : relating to or being photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posed candid photos of the family at play

4 : white candid flames

Other Words from candid Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym The Many Shades of Candid More Example Sentences Learn More about candid

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Choose the Right Synonym for candid

frank, candid, open, plain mean showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks. frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience. frank discussions candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion. a candid appraisal open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid. open in saying what they think plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression. plain talk

The Many Shades of Candid

It is interesting that candid, which has the original meaning in English of “white,” should have so many colors of meaning. The word comes from the French candide, which is from the Latin candidus (“bright, white”). Candid is not often used to mean “white” these days, and has shed another of its older meanings, “clear, pure.” Many of its current meanings are concerned with forms of honesty and forthrightness. It may refer to the indication or suggestion of sincere honesty (“her candid eyes”), or to something being marked by honest expression (“a candid talk”). However, it also carries the meaning of bluntness (or “disposed to criticize severely”), as well as “free from bias, prejudice, or malice.” The most recent sense it has taken on is in the vocabulary of photography: “relating to or being photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posed.”

Examples of candid in a Sentence

If Bart Knaggs had been totally candid, he would have told me that when his prospective father-in-law, who was a doctor, had heard that the cancer had moved into my lungs, he said to Bart, "Well, your friend is dead." — Lance Armstrong, It's Not About the Bike, (2000) 2001 To be candid, I have wondered whether it is fair to write about a man for whom I cannot help but feel a real distaste. — Jill Lepore, Journal of American History, June 2001 There are candid … anecdotes of open-heart surgery. — Joyce Carol Oates, New York Times Book Review, 30 Sept. 1990 He was quite candid about his past. She gave us her candid opinion on the matter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Considering Hollywood's ongoing inclusion issues, speaking Korean is both a subtle and candid way to bring light to that lack of diversity. — Gabe Bergado, Teen Vogue, "The Importance of Sandra Oh Thanking Her Parents in Korean at the Golden Globes 2019," 7 Jan. 2019 This is candid advice from a friend that Britain does have a choice. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Britain and the American Option," 2 Jan. 2019 Williams spent a lot of her 2018 making huge strides for women athletes by speaking about sexism, sharing candid stories about motherhood, and even—successfully—challenging the rules of fashion in tennis. — Julyssa Lopez, Glamour, "Serena Williams Calls Roger Federer the 'Greatest of All Time' After Historic Tennis Match," 1 Jan. 2019 The interview is Kelly’s first candid account of his tenure — and first attempt to write his legacy. — Amanda Sakuma, Vox, "John Kelly’s exit interview lifts the curtain on the chaos within the Trump White House," 30 Dec. 2018 Earlier this year, cast members shared sweet behind-the-scenes photos from the set, giving fans a candid taste of the upcoming movie. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Downton Abbey Movie Officially Has a Teaser Trailer," 14 Dec. 2018 Now, in a candid post on Instagram, Union is reflecting on the emotional journey the couple took to get there. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "Gabrielle Union on What It’s Like to Have a Baby After Multiple Miscarriages," 3 Dec. 2018 Product executives including Andrew Bosworth and Adam Mosseri began engaging directly with reporters on Twitter, offering candid insights on a wide range of topics. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "How Mark Zuckerberg became a wartime CEO," 20 Nov. 2018 This candid is just one of a new set of photos released in honor of Prince Charles's 70th. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Prince William and Prince Harry Look So Affectionate With Prince Charles in a New Candid Photo," 19 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'candid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.