candor

especially British, can·dour

[kan-der]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of candor¹

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

Example Sentences

So last week’s remarks by Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley deserve credit for candor, as well as for the public service of telling politicians a hard truth about the American labor force.

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Fans praised her candor and creativity, agreeing that Musk could do more with his wealth.

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But because of Nishio-san’s candor and affection, life is easier to process.

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This candor appeals to a subset of pop fans who are increasingly invested in drawing links between song lyrics and real-life entanglements.

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But the biographer also makes clear that Roth cultivated reticence with the same zeal with which he flaunted candor.

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Related Words

• directness www.thesaurus.com
• fairness 
• frankness 
• honesty 
• outspokenness www.thesaurus.com
• probity 
• simplicity 
• sincerity 
• truthfulness www.thesaurus.com