candid
Americanadjective
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frank; outspoken; open and sincere.
a candid critic.
- Synonyms:
- plain, straightforward, guileless, ingenuous
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free from reservation, disguise, or subterfuge; straightforward.
a candid opinion.
-
a candid photo.
-
a candid mind.
-
Archaic. white.
-
Archaic. clear; pure.
noun
adjective
-
frank and outspoken
he was candid about his dislike of our friends
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without partiality; unbiased
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unposed or informal
a candid photograph
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obsolete
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white
-
clear or pure
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Related Words
See frank 1.
Other Word Forms
- candidly adverb
- candidness noun
- pseudocandid adjective
- quasi-candid adjective
- subcandid adjective
- supercandid adjective
- uncandid adjective
Etymology
Origin of candid
First recorded in 1620–30; (from French candide ) from Latin candidus “shining white,” equivalent to cand(ēre) “to be shining white” (akin to incense 1 ) + -idus -id 4
Explanation
Straightforward and truthful talk might be described with the adjective candid. If you're always candid, your parents will know that they can trust you. A serious-minded politician might suggest engaging in a "candid discussion" about a complicated topic like health care or the environment, because candid means "open" or "frank." Remember that TV show Candid Camera? It was called that because its hidden cameras supposedly showed a candid view of reality. In photography, candid has become a noun meaning "an unposed photo." The word comes from Latin candidus, meaning "white," which was later extended to mean "pure." Candid talk provides the pure, unvarnished truth.
Vocabulary lists containing candid
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 5
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Our candid and constructive discussions focus on the evolving regional situation and advancing peace and stability, while strengthening our partnership and deepening cooperation," he wrote on X.
From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026
It’s more a candid assessment of what the technology can actually do.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
We collected candid, untelevised moments from the Academy Awards, where our reporters witnessed more of the endgame of a long season.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
After a decade of dilemmas, debates and candid conversations, the hosts of The Receipts Podcast are stepping down.
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
Any candid observer of American racial history must acknowledge that racism is highly adaptable.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
