Candid
adjective /ˈkændɪd/ — Honest even when it costs something.
Definition
Truthful and straightforward; frank, without being harsh or unkind.
Beyond the definition
Candid occupies the rare space between honesty and consideration. It's not brutal truth or polished softness — it's the version of truth that respects both the speaker and the listener.
Origin & history
From Latin candidus — white, pure, honest (candere 'to shine').
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
I appreciate your candid assessment — most people would have softened it.
She gave a candid interview that the PR team would have stopped if they'd known.
Being candid with a friend is harder than being kind — sometimes.
Synonyms
frank, honest, direct, forthright, transparent
Antonyms
evasive, dishonest, guarded, diplomatic
Related words
- forthright
- sincere
- transparent
- blunt
Candid vs blunt
Candid implies an honest, transparent, and fair expression of thoughts. Blunt suggests a lack of sensitivity or tact in one's delivery, often causing offense despite the truth.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Adults in a serious disagreement
Two adults face each other in a disagreement, one raising an open hand to pause, expressions clear and focused without aggression.
The direct, unadorned interaction captures a moment of truth-telling where thoughts are shared openly, focusing on the clarity of their exchange rather than hidden agendas or superficial politeness.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration