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frankly

frankly

3.2
In an honest and direct way that may upset or surprise
  • adverb
  • /ˈfræŋkli/
translation icon : francamente
  • However, let me speak frankly so that no one's time is unnecessarily wasted.
  • quite frankly
  • frankly speaking
  • frankly I think

And the people I coach, quite frankly, are struggling.

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Examples

  • And frankly, he should show a bit more class.

  • And quite frankly, I feel some level of pride in that.

  • That to me is a very clean and frankly honest defense.

  • Being together at long last is frankly moving beyond words.

  • But look, the science, frankly, it's just not out on that.

  • And the people I coach, quite frankly, are struggling.

  • I ended up writing a plan that frankly got me promoted.

  • Frankly, sir, I'd like to have you along.

  • All of this discussion of congressional desires leaves us, frankly, without much clear guidance.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

honestly
vsfrankly
691 1.1

Said when you want to stress that you really mean what you say

stresses blunt directness and possible offence rather than only truth
tell you the truth
vsfrankly
  • Informal
227 4.5

Say you are being honest before you speak

is typically briefer and emphasises blunt honesty that may offend
to be honest
vsfrankly
  • Informal
221 2.3

To show you are telling the truth or how you really feel

is more tied to bluntness and possible offence than confession
sincerely
vsfrankly
152 1.0

In a way that shows true feelings without pretending

leans more toward blunt directness than gentle authenticity
directly
vsfrankly
88 1.4

In a clear honest way, saying what you think

adds a stronger sense of candid risk of offending
to tell the truth
vsfrankly
  • Informal
48 3.2

To say something that is true even if it is surprising

leans more toward bluntness and warning about offence
straight-up
vsfrankly
  • Informal
43 7.9

Used to say something is completely honest without exaggeration

is less casual and more likely to warn about offence
outright
vsfrankly
36 4.3

Directly and openly, without hiding or delay

carries more personal bluntness and potential to offend
candidly
vsfrankly
28 4.1

In an honest, direct way without hiding your true thoughts

focuses more on blunt honesty even if it upsets people
flat out
vsfrankly
  • Informal
21 7.0

To say something plainly without hiding feelings

is similar but usually used in less forceful contexts
in all honesty
vsfrankly
17 3.7

To tell the truth to show you really mean it

is shorter and sharper, often implying stronger bluntness
truth be told
vsfrankly
  • Informal
17 5.6

You say it to show you are honest, even if it sounds awkward

focuses more on direct personal bluntness than confession style
forthrightly
vsfrankly
7 6.7

In a direct and honest way without hiding anything

is more likely to warn that the remark may offend

How Direct

bluntly
40 4.6
frankly
3.2
honestly
691 1.1
to be honest
  • Informal
221 2.3

Surface Forms

frankly positive

Morphology

frankly = frank (transparent) = frank + ly

The adverb is a straightforward -ly derivation from the adjective 'frank', indicating manner.

Etymology

Frankly comes from the adjective frank, which originally meant 'free'. So to speak frankly is to speak 'freely' and honestly, without hiding your true thoughts.