frankly

Frankly is an adverb used to signal that a statement is made with candor and directness. It typically precedes a blunt or honest remark, helping to frame what follows as an unvarnished assessment rather than a polite or hedged opinion.

Etymology: The adverb forms from the adjective frank, meaning honest or straightforward. Frank itself comes from Old French franc and ultimately from a Frankish word sense of free, sincere; the -ly suffix yields an adverbial form in English, with usage dating to the early modern period.

Usage and nuance: Frankly is common in spoken English and in informal writing. It can soften the transition to a blunt claim, but it can also sound abrupt or combative if overused or employed in sensitive contexts. Alternatives include honestly, candidly, or to be frank in more cautious prose.

Examples: Frankly, I do not agree with the proposal. To speak frankly, the project is underfunded. In journalism and rhetoric, the word signals a speaker’s desire to present a candid assessment, though it is not a guarantee of factual accuracy.

Cultural reference: The line Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn from the 1939 film Gone with the Wind is one of the most famous uses of the phrase, illustrating its ability to convey blunt resolve in a single utterance.