plain-spoken
[pleyn-spoh-kuhn]
- candid; frank; blunt.
- using simple, direct language: a plain-spoken politician.
Show More
Origin of plain-spoken
First recorded in 1670–80
Synonyms for plain-spoken
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for plain-spoken
candid, blunt, strident, vocal, forthright, straightforward, clear-cut, sincere, honest, easy, matter-of-fact, curt, rude, trenchant, outspoken, explicit, brusque, guileless, naive, shortExamples from the Web for plain-spoken
Contemporary Examples of plain-spoken
Trying to be ordinary, plain-spoken, and spontaneous made it worse.
The president's people are plain-spoken, loyal, and courageous.
She's a plain-spoken pol from Toledo who wants to put Wall Street bankers behind bars.
Historical Examples of plain-spoken
Mr. Froud had listened open-mouthed to this plain-spoken homily.
The Golden ShoemakerJ. W. Keyworth
With a gasp the secretary thought: 'I knew that was a plain-spoken man!'
Five TalesJohn Galsworthy
He is gone; I knew he could not withstand my plain-spoken truths.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Vol. 13Elbert Hubbard
Phyllis found Mrs. Thorpe could be plain-spoken as well as kind.
Old ValentinesMunson Aldrich Havens
Her plain-spoken friend was sitting on her bed in a kimono as the girl came in.
Tam O' The ScootsEdgar Wallace
plain-spoken
- candid; frank; blunt
Show More
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 plain-spoken
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper