candidly
gb/kˈændɪdli/ us/kˈændɪdli/
B2
English
őszintén, beállítás nélkül, spontán
B2
1
őszintén
B1
Usage pattern:
speak/talk candidly (about [something]); say [something] candidly; candidly admit [something]
She spoke candidly about the mistakes she had made at work.
Őszintén beszélt a munkahelyén elkövetett hibáiról.
If I’m being candidly honest, I don’t think this plan will succeed.
Ha őszinte akarok lenni, nem hiszem, hogy ez a terv sikeres lesz.
The doctor answered candidly when we asked about the risks.
Learner examples
Please tell me candidly what you think.
Kérlek, mondd meg őszintén, mit gondolsz.
He admitted candidly that he was wrong.
Őszintén beismerte, hogy tévedett.
Common mistake:
Often confused with 'confidently' or used without a comma when it introduces a whole sentence (e.g., 'Candidly, I disagree.').
Meaning
in an honest, direct way
Collocations
speak candidly
|talk candidly
|answer candidly
|respond candidly
|say candidly
|admit candidly
|tell you candidly
|discuss candidly
|candidly admit
|candidly acknowledge
Synonyms
frankly (More common as a sentence adverb ('Frankly, ...').)
|
honestly (Often suggests sincerity rather than bluntness.)
|
openly (Emphasizes not keeping things secret.)
Antonyms
dishonestly (Opposite in truthfulness.)
|
guardedly (Opposite in openness; careful not to reveal too much.)
|
evasively (Avoiding a direct or truthful answer.)
Themes
communication
|opinions
|honesty
Definition
in an honest and direct way
In a frank, honest way, without hiding opinions or facts.
C1
2
spontán
B2
Usage pattern:
be photographed/filmed candidly; candidly captured [someone]
The children were candidly photographed while they played in the park.
A gyerekeket a parkban játék közben, beállítás nélkül fotózták.
A passerby candidly filmed the moment the crowd began to cheer.
Egy járókelő beállítás nélkül videóra vette a pillanatot, amikor a tömeg ujjongani kezdett.
The documentary includes candidly captured conversations backstage.
Learner examples
She was candidly photographed at the event.
Az eseményen beállítás nélkül fényképezték le.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this for any casual photo; it usually implies the person was not posing or may not have noticed.
Meaning
in an unposed, natural way
Collocations
candidly photographed
|candidly filmed
|candidly captured
|captured candidly
|photographed candidly
|filmed candidly
Synonyms
naturally (General; does not specifically imply 'not posed'.)
|
spontaneously (Emphasizes unplanned timing.)
Antonyms
posed (Deliberately arranged for the camera.)
|
staged (Deliberately set up to look a certain way.)
Themes
photography
|media
|daily_life
Definition
in a natural way, not posed (for photos or video)
In a way that is natural and unplanned, especially without posing for a photograph or recording.
Grammar
Dictionary form
candidly
IPA
GB/kˈændɪdli/
US/kˈændɪdli/
Syllables & stress
can - didly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (can)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: candidly
- Plural: candidlies
Word family
Forms
candidlies
noun
Core family
Related words
candidness
noun
Expressions
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.
quite candidly
1/kwˈaɪt kˈændɪdli/
fixed phrase
formal
very frankly
used to stress that you are being very honest
Examples
- Quite candidly, I was disappointed by the result.
- I can’t, quite candidly, see how this will work.
- Quite candidly, their response was unacceptable.
Learner examples
- Quite candidly, I don’t like it.
to put it candidly
1/tə pˈʊt ˈɪt kˈændɪdli/
fixed phrase
formal
say something bluntly
used to introduce a very honest statement
Examples
- To put it candidly, the project is failing.
- To put it candidly, you don’t have enough experience for this role.
- To put it candidly, we can’t afford another delay.
Learner examples
- To put it candidly, I need help.
to speak candidly
1/tə spˈik kˈændɪdli/
fixed phrase
speak in an honest way
to talk honestly and directly
Examples
- We need to speak candidly about our budget.
- She agreed to speak candidly about her experience.
- It’s hard to speak candidly when you feel pressured.
Learner examples
- Let’s speak candidly about the problem.