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 Word Forms

• 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

She needed that forthright attitude throughout her life.

From BBC

Always forthright with his opinions, Lord Sugar made recent headlines by airing his views on topics including working from home, telling workers to "get their bums back to the office".

From BBC

That's much more likely going to happen or much more likely to happen in a larger city where people are probably a lot more forthright, but they're a lot more passive in Utah.

From Salon

The “Saw” movies may be blunt in their messaging and even more forthright with their carnage, but they are also surprisingly hopeful.

From Salon

She fondly remembers a forthright aunt who "spoke her mind, in more ways than one".

From BBC

Related Words

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