frankly
Americanadverb
adverb
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(sentence modifier) in truth; to be honest
frankly, I can't bear him
-
in a frank manner
Etymology
Origin of frankly
Explanation
To say something frankly is to be completely honest and straightforward. It's unusual when a politician answers reporters' questions frankly. When someone's frank, they are plainspoken and truthful, and when you communicate frankly, your words have this quality. Telling people frankly that you need their help, or expressing criticism frankly but kindly can be difficult at times, but it's something to strive for. Frank and frankly have a Medieval Latin root, francus, "free, or at liberty."
Vocabulary lists containing frankly
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 ideal of many ideologies in our time has, frankly, become a world of perfect safety, devoid of risk or failure, with neither the glory of victory nor the shame of defeat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
“If we can’t use our base when we have a contingency, what’s the point of having the base and, frankly, the point of the alliance?” he said on Fox News.
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026
Mathekga is speaking frankly during a gathering of men aimed at helping reduce the high levels of violence against women in South Africa.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
Jim Carrey came out of retirement to reprise his role as Dr. Robotnik in the ‘Sonic’ franchise because he ‘needed the money, frankly.’
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
The one that mattered, frankly, more than any other.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
