candor

American  

[kan-der] / ˈkæn dər /

especially British, candour

noun

1. the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness.

   The candor of the speech impressed the audience.

2. freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality.

   to consider an issue with candor.

   Synonyms:

   truthful, honesty, frankness, openness

3. Obsolete. kindliness.

4. Obsolete. purity.

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Etymology

Origin of candor

First recorded in 1350–1400 (for sense “extreme whiteness”); Middle English, from Latin: “radiance, whiteness”; candid, -or ¹

Explanation

Candor usually means the quality of being open, honest, and sincere. If someone tells you they think you're boring, you might reply with, "While I appreciate your candor, I don't think we need to be friends anymore." The corresponding adjective is candid, as in "I want you to be candid. Did everyone notice the spinach between my teeth when I gave my speech?" Candor is from French candeur, from Latin candēre, "to shine or be white." The color white is associated with purity, which is a now obsolete meaning of candor.

Example Sentences

What about Alex Honnold — his candor is refreshing but he still seems eager to puncture Dean’s mystique.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

That candor doubles as an appealing quality to analysts like Lee, who appreciate Karp’s “transparent communication style.”

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

He writes about race relations with similar candor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Without candor during a history and physical, medicine fails.

From Slate • Jan. 26, 2026

Speaking of Oppenheimer’s call for candor, he advised the president, “The campaign is dangerous and its proposals fatal.”

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• directness
• fairness
• frankness
• honesty
• outspokenness
• probity
• simplicity
• sincerity
• truthfulness