candidly

Candidly is an adverb used to describe speaking or acting in a frank, open, and sincere manner. It typically refers to statements or expressions that are free from pretense or careful concealment. In journalism, interviews, or personal communication, to answer candidly means to reveal one's true thoughts or feelings, even if the information is sensitive or uncomfortable. It does not necessarily imply rudeness; tone and context influence how it is received.

The word candidly derives from candid, which in turn comes from Latin candidus meaning white or pure, carrying a metaphor of openness and honesty. In English, candid has long been used to describe straightforwardness, and candidly functions as the adverbial form.

Related terms include candor (noun), candidness (noun), and candid (adjective). Common collocations include “speak candidly,” “candid admission,” and “candid assessment.” Writers and speakers often use candidly to invite a straightforward or vulnerable disclosure, but it can risk amplifying bluntness if used without tact. For example: “She spoke candidly about the mistakes in her project,” or “The data were presented candidly to the committee.”