plainspoken

adjective

plain·​spo·​ken ˈplān-ˈspō-kən 

: candid, frank

plainspokenness

ˈplān-ˈspō-kən-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of plainspoken

• outspoken
• honest
• candid
• frank

Examples of plainspoken in a Sentence

a plainspoken woman who never hesitated to speak the unvarnished truth

Recent Examples on the Web

Mai, gauche and plainspoken, is an unwed single mother—too scandalous a situation to be open about at work. — Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026

These are deeply personal admissions on a pop album of this caliber, yet Sivan makes these confessionals feel plainspoken. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Like his wife, Imler is plainspoken and believes in cutting to the chase. — Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Oklahoma voters rejected raising hourly wage to $15 The ballot in Oklahoma had plenty of statewide races, but voters were plainspoken that raising wages for the poorest workers is what drove them to the polls on June 16. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 17 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for plainspoken

• awoken
• betoken
• heartbroken
• outspoken
• unbroken
• unspoken
• broken
• oaken
• spoken
• token
• woken

Kids Definition

plainspoken

adjective

plain·​spo·​ken -ˈspō-kən 

: speaking or spoken frankly