forthright

1 of 3

adjective

forth·​right ˈfȯrth-ˌrīt 

1

: free from ambiguity or evasiveness : going straight to the point

a forthright critic

was forthright in appraising the problem

2

: notably simple in style or quality

forthright furniture

3

archaic : proceeding straight on

forthrightly adverb

forthrightness noun

forthright

2 of 3

adverb

1

archaic

a

: directly forward

b

: without hesitation : frankly

2

archaic : at once

forthright

3 of 3

noun

archaic

: a straight path

Synonyms

Adjective

• outspoken
• honest
• candid
• frank
• straightforward

Examples of forthright in a Sentence

Adjective

she sometimes was a little too forthright for her own good and ended up saying things that inadvertently offended people

I appreciate your forthright explanation of the situation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But McDonald — who always comes off as forthright, analytical and calm — was by no means trying to blame external factors. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025

During his Friday Zoom session with local media members, Chiefs coach Andy Reid was forthright about Royals’ status. —Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025

Clear-eyed and forthright about the fallout of fractured families, the film also weaves a dreamscape of sorts out of meditative interludes of skate footage that provide fluidity in a shape-shifting narrative. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025

Thank you for being so forthright and so clear. —Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English forthriht, from forth + riht right

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for forthright

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

forthright

adjective

forth·​right

ˈfōrth-ˌrīt,

ˈfȯrth-

: going straight to the point clearly and firmly

a forthright answer

forthrightly adverb

forthrightness noun