frank

¹

[ frangk ]

adjective

, frank·er, frank·est.

1. direct and unreserved in speech; straightforward; sincere:

   Her criticism of my work was frank but absolutely fair.

   Synonyms: blunt, naked, uninhibited, bold, free, unguarded

   Antonyms: restrained, inhibited, guarded

2. without inhibition or subterfuge; transparent; undisguised:

   The letter contained a frank appeal for financial aid.

3. Pathology. clinically evident; unmistakable:

   frank blood.

4. Archaic. liberal or generous.
5. Obsolete. free.

noun

1. a signature or mark affixed by special privilege to a letter, package, or the like to ensure its transmission free of charge, as by mail.
2. the privilege of having letters, packages, etc., transmitted free of charge.
3. a letter, package, etc., transmitted free of charge by special privilege.

verb (used with object)

1. to mark (a letter, package, etc.) for transmission free of the usual charge, by virtue of official or special privilege; send free of charge, as mail.
2. to convey (a person) free of charge.
3. to enable to pass or go freely:

   to frank a visitor through customs.

4. to facilitate the comings and goings of (a person), especially in society:

   A sizable inheritance will frank you faster than anything else.

5. to secure exemption for.
6. Carpentry. to assemble (millwork, as sash bars) with a miter joint through the moldings and a butt joint or mortise-and-tenon joint for the rest.

Frank

²

[ frangk ]

noun

1. a member of a group of ancient Germanic peoples dwelling in the regions of the Rhine, one division of whom, the Salians, conquered Gaul about a.d. 500, founded an extensive kingdom, and gave origin to the name France.
2. (in the Levant) any native of western Europe.

frank

³

[ frangk ]

noun

, Informal.

1. frankfurter.

Frank

⁴

[ frangk, frahngk; Russian, frahnk; German frahngk ]

noun

1. Anne, 1929–45, German Jewish girl who died in Belsen concentration camp in Germany: her diaries about her family hiding from Nazis in Amsterdam (1942–44) were published in 1947.
2. Il·ya Mi·khai·lo·vich [ee-lyah myi-, khahy, -l, uh, -vyich], 1908–90, Russian physicist: Nobel Prize 1958.
3. Le·on·hard [ley, -awn-hah, r, t], 1882–1961, German novelist.
4. Robert, 1924–2019, U.S. photographer and filmmaker, born in Switzerland.
5. Waldo, 1889–1967, U.S. novelist and social critic.
6. a male given name, form of Francis or Franklin.

Frank

¹

/ fræŋk /

noun

1. a member of a group of West Germanic peoples who spread from the east bank of the middle Rhine into the Roman Empire in the late 4th century ad , gradually conquering most of Gaul and Germany. The Franks achieved their greatest power under Charlemagne

Frank

²

/ fraŋk /

noun

1. FrankAnne19291945FGermanJewishWRITING: diarist Anne . 1929–45, German Jewess, whose Diary (1947) recorded the experiences of her family while in hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam (1942–44). They were betrayed and she died in a concentration camp
2. FrankRobert1924MUSSwissARTS AND CRAFTS: photographerFILMS AND TV: film maker Robert . born 1924, US photographer and film maker, born in Switzerland; best known for his photographic book The Americans (1959)

frank

³

/ fræŋk /

adjective

1. honest and straightforward in speech or attitude

   a frank person

2. outspoken or blunt
3. open and avowed; undisguised

   frank interest

4. See generous, free
   an obsolete word for free generous

verb

1. See postmark
   to put a mark on (a letter, parcel, etc), either cancelling the postage stamp or in place of a stamp, ensuring free carriage See also postmark
2. to mark (a letter, parcel, etc) with an official mark or signature, indicating the right of free delivery
3. to facilitate or assist (a person) to come and go, pass, or enter easily
4. to obtain immunity for or exempt (a person)

noun

1. an official mark or signature affixed to a letter, parcel, etc, ensuring free delivery or delivery without stamps
2. the privilege, issued to certain people and establishments, entitling them to delivery without postage stamps

Derived Forms

• ˈfranker, noun
• ˈfrankness, noun
• ˈfrankable, adjective

Other Words From

• frank·a·ble adjective
• frank·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of frank¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English “not a serf, free; generous; unconfined; exempt from tax,” from Old French franc, from Late Latin francus “free,” originally Frank

Origin of frank²

before 900; Middle English Franke, Old English Franca (cognate with Old High German Franko ), perhaps from the Germanic base of Old English franka spear, javelin, a weapon allegedly favored by the Franks

Origin of frank³

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of frank¹

Old English Franca ; related to Old High German Franko ; perhaps from the name of a typical Frankish weapon (compare Old English franca javelin)

Origin of frank²

C13: from Old French franc , from Medieval Latin francus free; identical with Frank (in Frankish Gaul only members of this people enjoyed full freedom)

Synonym Study

Frank, candid, open, outspoken imply a freedom and boldness in speaking, writing, or acting. Frank is applied to one unreserved in expressing the truth and to one's real opinions and sentiments: a frank analysis of a personal problem. Candid suggests that one is sincere and truthful or impartial and fair in judgment, sometimes unpleasantly so: a candid expression of opinion. Open implies a lack of reserve or of concealment: open antagonism. Outspoken applies to a person who expresses their thoughts freely, even when this is inappropriate: an outspoken and unnecessary show of disapproval.

Example Sentences

A Wall Street person should not be allowed to help oversee the Dodd-Frank reforms.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, as an almost purely advisory firm, Lazard is (appropriately) barely affected by the Dodd-Frank reforms.

From The Daily Beast

As he drove me back to the logging road, Frank told me about the area in his deep voice.

From The Daily Beast

The housing bubble was at very the center of the financial crisis that birthed Dodd-Frank.

From The Daily Beast

Think about it: Dodd-Frank was explicitly passed to drive a stake through the heart of the implicit concept of “too big to fail.”

From The Daily Beast

Miss Thangue sat forward with the frank curiosity of the Englishwoman when inspecting a foreign specimen.

From Project Gutenberg

Bidding a young bank manager take charge of the detachment, Frank led the newcomer rapidly to headquarters.

From Project Gutenberg

To save his faithful servant Frank wheeled Nejdi, and cut down a native who was lunging at Chumru with a bayonet.

From Project Gutenberg

If you were to have a frank explanation with her, Blanche would very soon throw Jim Crow out of the window.

From Project Gutenberg

Frank loosened his sword from its fastenings and took a revolver in his left hand, in which he also held the reins.

From Project Gutenberg