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frank

adjective \ ˈfraŋk \

Definition of frank

1 : marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression
  • a frank reply
2 a : unmistakably evident
  • frank materialism
b : clinically evident and unmistakable
  • frank pus
—

frankness

noun

See frank defined for English-language learners

See frank defined for kids

Examples of frank in a Sentence

  1. 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

frank Synonyms

Synonyms

candid, direct, forthcoming, forthright, foursquare, freehearted, free-spoken, honest, open, openhearted, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, straight, straightforward, unguarded, unreserved, up-front;

Antonyms

dissembling, uncandid, unforthcoming;

Near Antonyms

inhibited, reserved, restrained;

close-mouthed, laconic, quiet, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative;

diplomatic, politic, tactful;

civil, considerate, courteous, polite;

Related Words

artless, earnest, guileless, ingenuous, innocent, naive (or naïve), natural, real, sincere, unaffected, undesigning, unpretending, unpretentious;

outgoing, uninhibited, unrestrained;

vocal, vociferous;

abrupt, bluff, blunt, brusque (also brusk), crusty, curt, gruff, sharp;

impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, tactless, thoughtless, uncivil, undiplomatic, ungracious, unmannerly, unsubtle;

Synonym Discussion of frank

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
2

frank

verb

Definition of frank

franked; franking; franks
transitive verb
1 a : to mark (a piece of mail) with an official signature or sign indicating the right of the sender to free mailing
b : to mail free
c : to affix to (mail) a stamp or a marking indicating the payment of postage
2 : to enable to pass or go freely or easily
—

frankable

play \ˈfraŋ-kə-bəl\ adjective
—

franker

noun

Origin and Etymology of frank

see 1frank

Other Postal Terms

cancel, indicia, philatelist

3

frank

noun

Definition of frank

1 a : the signature of the sender on a piece of franked mail serving in place of a postage stamp
b : a mark or stamp on a piece of mail indicating postage paid
c : a franked envelope
2 : the privilege of sending mail free of charge

Origin and Etymology of frank

see 1frank

4

frank

noun

Definition of frank

: frankfurter

First Known Use of frank

1904

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Frank

noun \ ˈfraŋk \

Definition of Frank

: a member of a West Germanic tribal confederacy that entered the Roman provinces in a.d. 253, occupied the Netherlands and most of Gaul, and established themselves along the Rhine

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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

biographical name \ ˈfraŋk , ˈfräŋk \

Definition of Frank

Anne 1929–1945 German-born diarist during the Holocaust

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Frank

biographical name

Definition of Frank

Joachim 1940–     American (German-born) biochemist and biophysicist

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Phrases Related to FRANK

Related Phrases

FRANK Defined for English Language Learners

frank

adjective

Definition of frank for English Language Learners

  • —used to say that someone is speaking or writing in a very direct and honest way

FRANK Defined for Kids

frank

adjective \ ˈfraŋk \

Definition of frank for Students

: free in or characterized by freedom in expressing feelings and opinions
  • a frank discussion
—

frankly

adverb
  • spoke frankly
—

frankness

noun

Medical Dictionary

frank

adjective \ ˈfraŋk \

medical Definition of frank

: clinically evident
  • frank pus
  • frank gout

Learn More about frank

  1. 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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