candor
Americannoun
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the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness.
The candor of the speech impressed the audience.
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freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality.
to consider an issue with candor.
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Obsolete. kindliness.
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Obsolete. purity.
Etymology
Origin of candor
First recorded in 1350–1400 (for sense “extreme whiteness”); Middle English, from Latin: “radiance, whiteness”; see 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.
Vocabulary lists containing candor
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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Advanced English Words
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ross has been entrusted to judge others’ veracity, yet her own candor is in question.
From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026
Pixar films are known for their gut-wrenching sincerity, speaking to kids with as much candor as they do adults.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
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
Simmon turned back to me, and spoke with remarkable candor.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
