outspoken

American

[out-spoh-kuhn] / ˈaʊtˈspoʊ kən /

adjective

uttered or expressed with frankness or without reserve.

outspoken criticism.
free or unreserved in speech.

Antonyms:

taciturn

verb

past participle of outspeak.

outspoken British

/ ˌaʊtˈspəʊkən /

adjective

candid or bold in speech
said or expressed with candour or boldness

"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

Related Words

See frank ¹.

Other Word Forms

outspokenly adverb
outspokenness noun
unoutspoken adjective

Etymology

Origin of outspoken

First recorded in 1800–10; out- + spoken

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.

Palantir’s Karp has been outspoken about his support for the use of AI for American military purposes.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

He is one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Sandberg has been one of the most outspoken advocates for women in business, particularly when her book “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” published in 2013.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Since ending his playing career in 1987, he has become an outspoken voice in the media, including working for the BBC's Test Match Special.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

An outspoken group of thirteen movement leaders held a press conference with local newspapers.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023