frankness
gb/fɹˈæŋknəs/ us/fɹˈæŋknəs/
B2
English
~ 7500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
property
1
honest openness in speech
The quality of speaking in a very open and honest way, saying what you really think or feel.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s frankness about [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *frankness* like an adjective, for example, "He is very frankness." The correct forms are "He is very frank" (adjective) or "I like his frankness" (noun). Learners may also confuse *frankness* with general 'truth' and say "He told me the frankness" instead of "He told me the truth" or "He spoke with frankness."
Synonyms
candor (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and often used in written English.)
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openness (Stresses being willing to share information or feelings, sometimes less about directness of words.)
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honesty (Broader word about truthfulness in general, not only in the way someone speaks.)
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directness (Emphasizes speaking plainly and clearly, sometimes without softening your words.)
Antonyms
evasiveness (Describes avoiding direct answers or hiding what you really think, the opposite of open speech.)
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reserve (Describes keeping thoughts and feelings private instead of sharing them openly.)
Collocations
refreshing frankness
|remarkable frankness
|admire [someone]'s frankness
|show frankness
|frankness about [problems]
|appreciate [someone]'s frankness
Themes
communication
|emotions
|personality
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I appreciate your frankness about the challenges we’re facing.
- With surprising frankness, she admitted that the project had been a failure.
- His frankness in the meeting helped everyone understand the real situation.
- The therapist encouraged frankness so that the couple could talk about their problems.
- Her frankness sometimes shocks people who are not used to such direct opinions.
Learner examples
- I like your frankness; you always tell the truth.
- Because of his frankness, we know what the real problem is.
- Her frankness made the talk open and honest.
- The boss thanked him for his frankness about the team’s mistakes.
- Their frankness with each other helped them solve the issue.
unknown
C1
property
2
openness about sexual or shocking details
The quality of talking or writing very openly about sex or other private or shocking things.
Usage pattern:
the frankness of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this sense is always positive. In reviews, *frankness* can be neutral or slightly negative when people feel details about sex or violence are too open or graphic.
Synonyms
explicitness (Focuses more strongly on clear, often graphic detail, especially in media content ratings.)
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openness (A broader term; can describe willingness to discuss sensitive topics without necessarily being graphic.)
Antonyms
prudishness (Describes being easily shocked by sexual talk and avoiding it, the opposite attitude to open discussion of such topics.)
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discretion (Describes avoiding saying too much about private or sensitive matters.)
Collocations
the frankness of the scenes
|startling frankness
|unusual frankness
|frankness about sex
|frankness about bodily functions
Themes
media
|communication
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Some viewers were surprised by the frankness of the documentary’s discussion of sex.
- The book was praised for its emotional depth but criticized for the frankness of its violent scenes.
- Parents complained about the frankness with which the show dealt with teenage relationships.
- The film’s frankness about mental illness helped start an important public conversation.
- Reviewers noted the unusual frankness of the politician’s comments about corruption.
Learner examples
- The movie was given an adult rating because of its frankness about sex.
- He liked the book’s frankness about real life problems.
- Some people were shocked by the frankness of the talk about drugs.
- The article’s frankness about money made many readers uncomfortable.
- Teachers must decide how much frankness is good when they talk about these topics with students.
Grammar
Expressions
in all frankness
1/ˈɪn ˈɔl fɹˈæŋknəs/
fixed phrase
introducing a very honest remark
Used before you say something very honest, which may be surprising or not nice to hear.
Examples
- In all frankness, I don’t think this plan will work.
- She said, in all frankness, that the company could not afford any more delays.
with disarming frankness
2/wˈɪθ dɪsˈɑɹmɪŋ fɹˈæŋknəs/
fixed phrase
very honest in a pleasantly open way
Used to describe someone speaking very open and honest in a simple, friendly way that makes others feel relaxed, not angry.
Examples
- He explained the mistake with disarming frankness, so no one stayed angry for long.
- She talked about her failures with disarming frankness, and the audience trusted her more.