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.

---

Etymology

Origin of candor

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

Example Sentences

Today there are as many people who admire Mikaela’s candor as admire her skiing.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was stark candor from an athlete who had every right to be undone.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Sickler pointed out that this remarkable level of candor in the audience is something he continues to marvel about.

From Los Angeles Times

He writes about race relations with similar candor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Shiffrin’s candor thrust her to the center of ongoing discussions about mental health in sports.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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