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

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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

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First Known Use: 1535

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frank Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

dissembling, uncandid, unforthcoming

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

Near Antonyms

inhibited, reserved, restrained; close-mouthed, laconic, quiet, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative; ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, evasive; diplomatic, politic, tactful; civil, considerate, courteous, polite

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

frank

verb

Definition of frank

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

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First Known Use: 1701

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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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1713

See Words from the same year

frank

noun

Definition of frank

:frankfurter

First Known Use of frank

1904

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

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First Known Use: before 12th century

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Frank

biographical name \ ˈfraŋk , ˈfräŋk \

Definition of Frank

Anne 1929–1945 German-born diarist during the Holocaust

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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

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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frank

Definition of frank

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Examples of frank in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of frank

frank Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of frank

frank

Definition of frank

frankable

franker

Origin and Etymology of frank

Other Postal Terms

frank

Definition of frank

Origin and Etymology of frank

frank

Definition of frank

First Known Use of frank

Other Food Terms

Frank

Definition of Frank

Origin and Etymology of frank

Frank

Definition of Frank

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Related Phrases

FRANK Defined for English Language Learners

frank

Definition of frank for English Language Learners

FRANK Defined for Kids

frank

Definition of frank for Students

frankly

frankness

Medical Dictionary

frank

medical Definition of frank

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