candor

[ kan-der ]

/ ˈkæn dər /

noun

the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness: The candor of the speech impressed the audience.

freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality: to consider an issue with candor.

Obsolete. kindliness.

Obsolete. purity.

Nearby words

candlestick, candlewick, candlewood, candolle, candomblé, candor, candour, candy, candy apple, candy ass, candy cane

Also especially British, can·dour.

Origin of candor

1350–1400 (for sense “extreme whiteness”); Middle English < Latin: radiance, whiteness; see candid, -or¹

SYNONYMS FOR candor

2 openness, frankness, honesty, truthfulness.

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

Examples from the Web for candour

"Yes," the other lady admitted, candour and natural goodness of heart getting the better alike of resentment and diplomacy.
The Far Horizon|Lucas Malet
Nor can any stretch of candour make us admit it to be probable, that all who pretended a belief of it did seriously entertain it.
A History of the Early Part of the Reign of James the Second|Charles James Fox
And if you have written your best, let it be ever so bad, what can any man of candour and integrity require more from you?
My Novel, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
He received the message with as much amazement at their candour, as indignation at his physician's treachery.
Pinnock's Improved Edition of Dr. Goldsmith's History of Rome|Oliver Goldsmith

How could any one doubt the candour of those star like eyes, thought Cyril.
Who?|Elizabeth Kent

British Dictionary definitions for candour

candour

US candor

/ (ˈkændə) /

noun

the quality of being open and honest; frankness

fairness; impartiality

obsolete purity or brightness

Word Origin for candour

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

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 candour (1 of 2)

candour

chiefly British English spelling of candor (q.v.); for spelling, see -or.

Word Origin and History for candour (1 of 2)

candor

"openness of mind, impartiality, frankness," c.1600, from Latin candor "purity, openness," originally "whiteness," from candere "to shine, to be white" (see candle). Borrowed earlier in English (c.1500) with the Latin literal sense "extreme whiteness."