forthright

[fawrth-rahyt, fohrth-, fawrth-rahyt, fohrth-, fawrth-rahyt, fohrth-]

adjective

1. going straight to the point; frank; direct; outspoken.

   It's sometimes difficult to be forthright and not give offense.

2. proceeding in a straight course; direct; straightforward.

   a forthright glance.

adverb

1. straight or directly forward; in a direct or straightforward manner.

   He told us forthright just what his objections were.

2. straightaway; at once; immediately.

   He saw forthright that such an action was folly.

noun

1. Archaic.,  a straight course or path.

forthright

adjective

1. direct and outspoken

adverb

1. in a direct manner; frankly

2. at once

Other Word Forms

• forthrightness noun
• unforthright adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forthright¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English forthrihte. See forth, right

Example Sentences

Smith agreed that King was the less reliable narrator, writing that “Kincaid’s remarkably lucid, rapid-fire, and forthright demeanor on the stand — compared to King’s calculated demeanor” made it “obvious” that Kincaid was telling the truth.

Read more on Salon

It looks pretty forthright on the page, but Mr. Isaacson skillfully teases fresh pith and resonance out of those familiar words.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Emanuel has some forthright opinions about where the value from sports and entertainment will accrue in this new era.

Read more on MarketWatch

The prosecution said Mrs Spragg was a "forthright supporter of the conspiracy theory" that Madeleine's parents were responsible for her disappearance despite "unequivocal evidence to the contrary".

Read more on BBC

Such forthright commentary about current events and issues are rare, however.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blunt 
• candid 
• categorical 
• outspoken 
• plainspoken www.thesaurus.com
• sincere