candid
gb/kˈændɪd/ us/kˈændɪd/
B2
English
~ 8400
őszinte, kendőzetlen, nyílt, spontán fotó, beállítatlan fotó
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to be candid about [something]
She was surprisingly candid about the problems in her marriage.
Meglepően őszintén beszélt a házassági problémáiról.
In a candid interview, the actor talked about his struggles with anxiety.
Egy őszinte interjúban a színész beszélt a szorongással való küzdelméről.
To be candid, I don’t think this plan will work.
His email was so candid that some colleagues found it uncomfortable to read.
The manager asked for candid feedback from the team about the new policy.
Learner examples
He was very candid about his past mistakes.
Nagyon őszintén beszélt a korábbi hibáiról.
To be candid, I do not like this idea.
Őszintén szólva nem tetszik ez az ötlet.
She gave a candid answer to the difficult question.
My boss wants us to be candid when we talk about problems at work.
The book is a candid story of her life.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "candid" with "candidate" (a person running for a job or election). They may also think "candid" only has a positive meaning. In fact, being candid can feel too direct or even rude in some situations, so it is often softer to add phrases like "to be candid" or "if I’m being candid" to show awareness of this.
Meaning
honest and direct, sometimes blunt
Collocations
candid about
|candid discussion
|candid interview
|candid feedback
|refreshingly candid
|brutally candid
Synonyms
frank (very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech and can sound a bit softer than "candid".)
|
honest (more general and basic; does not always carry the idea of speaking openly about uncomfortable truths.)
|
straightforward (focuses on being clear and direct; may sound more neutral and less emotional than "candid".)
Antonyms
guarded (describes someone who is careful and does not share their true thoughts or feelings.)
|
evasive (suggests someone avoids giving a clear or direct answer, the opposite of speaking candidly.)
Themes
communication
|relationships
|work
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
very honest and clear, saying what you really think, even if it is not pleasant to hear
Openly honest and direct in speech or writing, especially about something difficult, sensitive, or embarrassing.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a candid [photo/shot] of [someone]
The photographer captured a beautiful candid photo of the children playing in the park.
A fotós gyönyörű spontán fotót készített a parkban játszó gyerekekről.
I prefer candid shots because they show people as they really are.
Jobban szeretem a spontán felvételeket, mert olyannak mutatják az embereket, amilyenek valójában.
She didn’t realize there was a camera, so the picture is completely candid.
The article included several candid images of the singer backstage before the show.
He posted a candid selfie taken while he was laughing with friends.
Learner examples
He took a candid photo of his friends at dinner.
Spontán fotót készített a barátairól vacsora közben.
I like candid photos more than posed photos.
Jobban szeretem a spontán fotókat, mint a beállított képeket.
This is a candid shot of my parents on vacation.
The children did not see the camera, so the picture is very candid.
She shared some candid photos from the party.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "candid" always means "honest" and do not realize it also has this photography meaning. In phrases like "candid photo" or "candid shot", it does not describe a person’s personality but the style of the photograph: unposed and natural.
Meaning
unposed, natural photograph
Collocations
candid photo
|candid shot
|candid portrait
|take a candid
|caught on candid camera
Synonyms
unposed (technical photography term; emphasizes the lack of formal posing rather than the natural, spontaneous feeling.)
|
spontaneous (focuses on the sudden, natural moment rather than the photographic style itself.)
|
informal (more general; can describe style or situation, not only photos, and does not always imply the subject is unaware.)
Antonyms
posed (describes photos where the subject is arranged and prepared, the opposite of a candid photograph.)
|
staged (suggests the scene was planned or arranged, not natural or spontaneous.)
Themes
photography
|media
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
describes a photo that is taken when a person is not posing and may not know the photo is being taken, so they look natural.
(Of a photograph) taken informally, without the subject posing or often without them knowing, showing a natural and unplanned moment.
Grammar
Dictionary form
candid
IPA
GB/kˈændɪd/
US/kˈændɪd/
Syllables & stress
can - did (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (can)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: candid
Word family
Core family
candidly
adverb B2
candor
noun
Related words
candidness
noun
candour
noun
Expressions
candid camera
1/kˈændɪd kˈæmɚə/
fixed phrase
hidden camera for unposed reactions
a hidden camera that records people when they do not know it, so their behavior looks natural and unposed.
Examples
- The prank show used a candid camera to film people’s reactions in the supermarket.
- She didn’t realize she was on candid camera until the crew came out and explained the joke.
candid shot
1/kˈændɪd ʃˈɑt/
fixed phrase
informal, unposed photograph
a photo of a person taken when they are not posing, so they look natural and relaxed.
Examples
- He took a great candid shot of his grandmother laughing at the joke.
- The wedding album includes both formal portraits and candid shots of the guests.
candidly speaking
1/kˈændɪdli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
signal you will speak very honestly
used at the start of a sentence to show you are going to speak in a very open and honest way.
Examples
- Candidly speaking, the company has no clear long-term strategy.
- Candidly speaking, I doubt the project will finish on time.
candidly speaking
1/kˈændɪdli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
to speak frankly
used to say you will be honest and direct
Examples
- Candidly speaking, I think you should take the offer.
- Candidly speaking, the service has gone downhill.
- Candidly speaking, I’m not convinced by the evidence.
Learner examples
- Candidly speaking, I don’t agree.
speak candidly
1/spˈik kˈændɪdli/
fixed phrase
talk in a very honest way
to talk in a very open and honest way, not hiding problems or difficult truths.
Examples
- Employees were encouraged to speak candidly about their concerns.
- She spoke candidly about her experience with burnout during the panel discussion.
to be candid
1/tə bˈi kˈændɪd/
fixed phrase
introduce a very honest remark
used before you say something very honest, which might be surprising or not nice to hear.
Examples
- To be candid, I don’t think you’re ready for this promotion yet.
- To be candid, I was disappointed with your presentation.
- I’ll be candid: we can’t afford another delay on this project.