candid

[ kan-did ]

adjective

1. frank; outspoken; open and sincere:

   a candid critic.

   Synonyms: plain, straightforward, guileless, ingenuous

2. free from reservation, disguise, or subterfuge; straightforward:

   a candid opinion.

3. informal; unposed

   a candid photo.

4. honest; impartial:

   a candid mind.

5. Archaic. white.
6. Archaic. clear; pure.

noun

1. an unposed photograph.

candid

/ ˈkændɪd /

adjective

1. frank and outspoken

   he was candid about his dislike of our friends

2. without partiality; unbiased
3. unposed or informal

   a candid photograph

4. obsolete.
   1. white
   2. clear or pure

Derived Forms

• ˈcandidly, adverb
• ˈcandidness, noun

Other Words From

• can·did·ly adverb
• can·did·ness noun
• pseu·do·can·did adjective
• qua·si-can·did adjective
• sub·can·did adjective
• su·per·can·did adjective
• un·can·did adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of candid¹

First recorded in 1620–30; (from French candide ) from Latin candidus “shining white,” equivalent to cand(ēre) “to be shining white” (akin to incense ¹ ) + -idus -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of candid¹

C17: from Latin candidus white, from candēre to be white

Synonym Study

See frank ¹.

Example Sentences

Even though we were running late, Scott was jovial and candid in his conversation.

From The Daily Beast

In a candid interview, she compares the brutality of life in North Korea to the Holocaust.

From The Daily Beast

It was refreshingly candid, but not necessarily theologically sound or comforting to Christian voters.

From The Daily Beast

I soon saw why and could not resist sneaking a few candid shots.

From The Daily Beast

He had always come up with solutions that were at once simple and elegant, while he himself would be both candid and reasonable.

From The Daily Beast

Tell Lady Maude the candid truth, and take shame and blame to yourself, as you deserve.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of all the sneers of infidels, the candid reader finds the divine record sublime in its simplicity.

From Project Gutenberg

No candid observer will deny that whatever of good there is in our civilization is the product of the gospel.

From Project Gutenberg

She was, to be candid, knitting an afghan against an interesting event which involved a friend of hers.

From Project Gutenberg

No,” answered the Reverend Frank with a candid smile, “I saw no shepherds run past here.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blunt
• forthright
• impartial
• outspoken
• sincere
• straightforward
• truthful
• unbiased
• unequivocal