Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

candour

British  
/ ˈkændə /

noun

  1. the quality of being open and honest; frankness

  2. fairness; impartiality

  3. obsolete purity or brightness

"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

Etymology

Origin of candour

C17: from Latin candor, from candēre to be white, shine

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.

The Hillsborough Law will create a "duty of candour" for public authorities to tell the truth and co-operate with disaster inquiries.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

"I believe he is a man of profound integrity. His unwavering resolve, his composure, his utter candour -- such qualities would grant him spiritual freedom even within prison walls," Ling said.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

The bill would create criminal sanctions for breaches in the duty for candour.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

Weatherby said the key problem is a provision which would have the effect of "disapplying" the ancillary duty of candour to individual security and intelligence officers.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

Newton replied, thanking Oldenburg ‘for your candour in acquainting me with Mr Hook’s insinuations’ and asking for an opportunity to set the record straight.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin