candid

[kan-did]

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adjective

frank; outspoken; open and sincere: a candid critic.

free from reservation, disguise, or subterfuge; straightforward: a candid opinion.

informal; unposed: a candid photo.

honest; impartial: a candid mind.

Archaic. white.

Archaic. clear; pure.

noun

an unposed photograph.

Nearby words

Origin of candid

1620–30; (< French candide) < Latin candidus shining white, equivalent to cand(ēre) to be shining white (akin to incense¹) + -idus -id⁴

SYNONYMS FOR candid

1. ingenuous, naive, plain. See frank¹.

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Related forms

can·did·ly, adverbcan·did·ness, nounpseu·do·can·did, adjectivepseu·do·can·did·ly, adverb

qua·si-can·did, adjectivequa·si-can·did·ly, adverbsub·can·did, adjectivesub·can·did·ly, adverbsub·can·did·ness, nounsu·per·can·did, adjectivesu·per·can·did·ly, adverbsu·per·can·did·ness, nounun·can·did, adjectiveun·can·did·ly, adverbun·can·did·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for candid

Even though we were running late, Scott was jovial and candid in his conversation.
Remembering ESPN’s Sly, Cocky, and Cool Anchor Stuart Scott|Stereo Williams|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In a candid interview, she compares the brutality of life in North Korea to the Holocaust.
How ‘Titanic ’Helped This Brave Young Woman Escape North Korea’s Totalitarian State|Lizzie Crocker|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His candid remarks included his thoughts about Asian women, and his teammate Randall Simon, whom he described as a “fat monkey.”
Mark Cuban Warns That Basketball Players Could Get the Sterling Treatment Next|Evan Weiner|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Apart from Molly, he is most candid with Williams, allowing himself to show a weaker side.
Elia Kazan Was a Brilliant, Needy Pen Pal|Caryn James|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In a candid interview with The Daily Beast, Prepon put all the rumors to rest.
Orange is the New Black’s Laura Prepon on the Return of Alex Vause and Tom Cruise Dating Rumors|Marlow Stern|April 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A roar of laughter greeted this candid confession of future intentions.
The Revellers|Louis Tracy
"I know I shall never have courage to tell her to go," was the candid and characteristic answer.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
I daresay Sri Yukteswar would have been the most sought- after guru in India had his words not been so candid and so censorious.
Autobiography of a YOGI|Paramhansa Yogananda
Moreover, your subjects—for, to be candid, you are a despot—seem to like you.
Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 101, July 11, 1891|Various
The devil, candid and trustful, answered: "That will suit me."
Original Short Stories, Volume 7 (of 13)|Guy de Maupassant

British Dictionary definitions for candid

candid

adjective

frank and outspokenhe was candid about his dislike of our friends

without partiality; unbiased

unposed or informala candid photograph

obsolete

white
clear or pure

Derived Formscandidly, adverbcandidness, noun

Word Origin for candid

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for candid

candid

adj.

1620s, "white," from Latin candidum "white; pure; sincere, honest, upright," from candere "to shine," from PIE root *kand- "to glow, to shine" (see candle). In English, metaphoric extension to "frank" first recorded 1670s (cf. French candide "open, frank, ingenuous, sincere"). Of photography, 1929. Related: Candidly; candidness.

candid

adjective

noun

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Origin of candid

Examples from the Web for candid

candid

adjective

Word Origin for candid

candid