Definition of frank
1 : marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression a frank reply
2a : unmistakably evident frank materialismb : clinically evident and unmistakable frank pus
frankness
nounRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of frank in a Sentence
our ballet teacher is very frank about telling her students whether she thinks they have the talent for a career in dance
Did You Know?
The word frank comes from the name of the Franks, a West Germanic people who lived long ago. In the early Middle Ages the Franks were in power in France. (It was from them that the country got its name, in Latin Francia.) The Franks eventually merged with the earlier Gaulish and Roman inhabitants, and their name (Francus in Latin) lost its ethnic sense and referred to any inhabitant of Francia who was free, that is, not a slave or bondman. As an adjective, francus came to mean simply “free.” From the English adjective frank, which means “free” or “forthright,” we get the verb frank, which means “to mark mail with an official sign so that it may be mailed free.”
Origin and Etymology of frank
Middle English, free, from Anglo-French franc, from Medieval Latin francus, from Late Latin Francus Frank
Synonym Discussion of frank
frank
Definition of frank
transitive verb
1a : to mark (a piece of mail) with an official signature or sign indicating the right of the sender to free mailingb : to mail freec : to affix to (mail) a stamp or a marking indicating the payment of postage
2 : to enable to pass or go freely or easily
franker
nounOrigin and Etymology of frank
see 1frank
Other Postal Terms
frank
Definition of frank
1a : the signature of the sender on a piece of franked mail serving in place of a postage stampb : a mark or stamp on a piece of mail indicating postage paidc : a franked envelope
2 : the privilege of sending mail free of charge
Origin and Etymology of frank
see 1frank
First Known Use of frank
1904
Origin and Etymology of frank
Middle English, partly from Old English Franca; partly from Anglo-French Franc, from Late Latin Francus, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German Franko Frank, Old English Franca
Frank
playDefinition of Frank
Anne 1929–1945 German-born diarist during the Holocaust
FRANK Defined for English Language Learners
frank
playDefinition of frank for English Language Learners
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—used to say that someone is speaking or writing in a very direct and honest way
FRANK Defined for Kids
frank
playDefinition of frank for Students
: free in or characterized by freedom in expressing feelings and opinions a frank discussion
frankly
adverb spoke franklyfrankness
nounMedical Dictionary
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See words that rhyme with frank Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for frank Spanish Central: Translation of frank Nglish: Translation of frank for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of frank for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about frank
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