forthright

[ adjective noun fawrth-rahyt, fohrth-; adverb fawrth-rahyt, fohrth-, fawrth-rahyt, fohrth- ]

adjective

1. going straight to the point; frank; direct; outspoken:

   It's sometimes difficult to be forthright and not give offense.

2. proceeding in a straight course; direct; straightforward:

   a forthright glance.

adverb

1. straight or directly forward; in a direct or straightforward manner:

   He told us forthright just what his objections were.

2. straightaway; at once; immediately:

   He saw forthright that such an action was folly.

noun

1. Archaic. a straight course or path.

forthright

adjective

1. direct and outspoken

adverb

1. in a direct manner; frankly
2. at once

Derived Forms

• ˈforthˌrightness, noun

Other Words From

• forthrightness noun
• un·forthright adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forthright¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English forthrihte. See forth, right

Example Sentences

As the second Trump term approaches, however, Homan's become a little more forthright about his deportation plans.

From Salon

Lord John Bird, the forthright founder of the Big Issue, has warned of decades of failed initiatives to tackle homelessness, but has nonetheless backed the prince's intervention.

From BBC

But the deeper lesson in both their stories, one that recurs time and again, is the essentiality of being forthright with the other person about one’s history and identity, personal and political.

From Salon

But they're unusually forthright about the unrealistic standards the industry places on women.

From BBC

At the Palace of Laeken the Pope looked on solemnly as first the king of the Belgians and then the prime minister were unusually forthright in their comments about the body that he leads.

From BBC

Related Words

• blunt
• candid
• categorical
• outspoken
• plainspoken
• sincere