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 of forthright

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

In the play’s forthright, direct-to-the-audience expression of political necessity, Susannah Flood is the piece’s avatar of Wohl, but the show’s true essence is embodied by Betsy Aidem, playing a tightly wound housewife, who steels the younger women around her to face the struggle to come. —Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025

Still, in response to another question from Fortune at the luncheon, Maxwell was forthright about this moment of transition, compared to everything he’s seen during decades in top-level consulting. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025

Well, my wife and I have a very honest and forthright relationship. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025

But these ladies don’t need alcohol to be forthright and speak their minds. —Peter White, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1609, 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