frank

¹

[ frangk ]

adjective

, frank·er, frank·est.

1. direct and unreserved in speech; straightforward; sincere:

   Her criticism of my work was frank but absolutely fair.

   Synonyms: blunt, naked, uninhibited, bold, free, unguarded

   Antonyms: restrained, inhibited, guarded

2. without inhibition or subterfuge; transparent; undisguised:

   The letter contained a frank appeal for financial aid.

3. Pathology. clinically evident; unmistakable:

   frank blood.

4. Archaic. liberal or generous.
5. Obsolete. free.

noun

1. a signature or mark affixed by special privilege to a letter, package, or the like to ensure its transmission free of charge, as by mail.
2. the privilege of having letters, packages, etc., transmitted free of charge.
3. a letter, package, etc., transmitted free of charge by special privilege.

verb (used with object)

1. to mark (a letter, package, etc.) for transmission free of the usual charge, by virtue of official or special privilege; send free of charge, as mail.
2. to convey (a person) free of charge.
3. to enable to pass or go freely:

   to frank a visitor through customs.

4. to facilitate the comings and goings of (a person), especially in society:

   A sizable inheritance will frank you faster than anything else.

5. to secure exemption for.
6. Carpentry. to assemble (millwork, as sash bars) with a miter joint through the moldings and a butt joint or mortise-and-tenon joint for the rest.

Frank

²

[ frangk ]

noun

1. a member of a group of ancient Germanic peoples dwelling in the regions of the Rhine, one division of whom, the Salians, conquered Gaul about a.d. 500, founded an extensive kingdom, and gave origin to the name France.
2. (in the Levant) any native of western Europe.

frank

³

[ frangk ]

noun

, Informal.

1. frankfurter.

Frank

⁴

[ frangk, frahngk; Russian, frahnk; German frahngk ]

noun

1. Anne, 1929–45, German Jewish girl who died in Belsen concentration camp in Germany: her diaries about her family hiding from Nazis in Amsterdam (1942–44) were published in 1947.
2. Il·ya Mi·khai·lo·vich [ee-lyah myi-, khahy, -l, uh, -vyich], 1908–90, Russian physicist: Nobel Prize 1958.
3. Le·on·hard [ley, -awn-hah, r, t], 1882–1961, German novelist.
4. Robert, 1924–2019, U.S. photographer and filmmaker, born in Switzerland.
5. Waldo, 1889–1967, U.S. novelist and social critic.
6. a male given name, form of Francis or Franklin.

Frank

¹

/ fraŋk /

noun

1. FrankAnne19291945FGermanJewishWRITING: diarist Anne . 1929–45, German Jewess, whose Diary (1947) recorded the experiences of her family while in hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam (1942–44). They were betrayed and she died in a concentration camp
2. FrankRobert1924MUSSwissARTS AND CRAFTS: photographerFILMS AND TV: film maker Robert . born 1924, US photographer and film maker, born in Switzerland; best known for his photographic book The Americans (1959)

Frank

²

/ fræŋk /

noun

1. a member of a group of West Germanic peoples who spread from the east bank of the middle Rhine into the Roman Empire in the late 4th century ad , gradually conquering most of Gaul and Germany. The Franks achieved their greatest power under Charlemagne

frank

³

/ fræŋk /

adjective

1. honest and straightforward in speech or attitude

   a frank person

2. outspoken or blunt
3. open and avowed; undisguised

   frank interest

4. an obsolete word for free generous

verb

1. to put a mark on (a letter, parcel, etc), either cancelling the postage stamp or in place of a stamp, ensuring free carriage See also postmark
2. to mark (a letter, parcel, etc) with an official mark or signature, indicating the right of free delivery
3. to facilitate or assist (a person) to come and go, pass, or enter easily
4. to obtain immunity for or exempt (a person)

noun

1. an official mark or signature affixed to a letter, parcel, etc, ensuring free delivery or delivery without stamps
2. the privilege, issued to certain people and establishments, entitling them to delivery without postage stamps

Derived Forms

• ˈfranker, noun
• ˈfrankable, adjective
• ˈfrankness, noun

Other Words From

• frank·a·ble adjective
• frank·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of frank¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English “not a serf, free; generous; unconfined; exempt from tax,” from Old French franc, from Late Latin francus “free,” originally Frank

Origin of frank²

before 900; Middle English Franke, Old English Franca (cognate with Old High German Franko ), perhaps from the Germanic base of Old English franka spear, javelin, a weapon allegedly favored by the Franks

Origin of frank³

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of frank¹

Old English Franca ; related to Old High German Franko ; perhaps from the name of a typical Frankish weapon (compare Old English franca javelin)

Origin of frank²

C13: from Old French franc , from Medieval Latin francus free; identical with Frank (in Frankish Gaul only members of this people enjoyed full freedom)

Synonym Study

Frank, candid, open, outspoken imply a freedom and boldness in speaking, writing, or acting. Frank is applied to one unreserved in expressing the truth and to one's real opinions and sentiments: a frank analysis of a personal problem. Candid suggests that one is sincere and truthful or impartial and fair in judgment, sometimes unpleasantly so: a candid expression of opinion. Open implies a lack of reserve or of concealment: open antagonism. Outspoken applies to a person who expresses their thoughts freely, even when this is inappropriate: an outspoken and unnecessary show of disapproval.

Example Sentences

On the show, she’s brought frank, provocative discussions about race and privilege to the often shallow waters of reality TV.

From Los Angeles Times

“Throughout this year, I have been frank about the severe financial challenges our university and the sector are facing,” he wrote.

From BBC

Biden on Saturday acknowledged there had always been disagreements with Xi but added that discussions between him and the Chinese leader had been "frank" and "candid".

From BBC

Anchors and correspondents are having frank conversations with their agents about how they will navigate another four years covering a president who has a hostile view of journalists.

From Los Angeles Times

Most Titanic postcards are either franked 'Queenstown' or bear the ship's own postmark, but this one was posted in Cork, making it much rarer.

From BBC

More About Frank

What does frank mean?

Frank is used to describe something that is honest and straightforward, especially in speech, as in The fashion show judge gave frank criticism to every contestant, even if they didn’t want it. 

Frank can also be used to describe something that is direct and undisguised, as in My teacher was frank with me, saying bluntly that I had failed the course. 

Although used rarely, frank also refers to a mark put on letters or packages to signal they should be shipped for free. In the United States, franks are reserved for members of Congress and other high-ranking government officials.

Frank can be used as a verb to mean to mark the mail as special, as in The post office has strict rules when it comes to franking mail for free delivery. 

Related to this sense, frank can mean to give free passage to a person, as in The diplomat was franked through the military checkpoint. 

Example: The ballet teacher’s advice was frank, but the blunt criticism was very helpful to the rising star.

Where does frank come from?

The first records of frank come from around 1250. It comes from the Late Latin francus, meaning “free.” Interestingly, this word comes from the Germanic Franks,  a group of Germanic peoples who lived in what is now Germany and France around 400. The name of the modern country of France is based on the name of these peoples.

In the most commonly used meaning today, frank means someone is freely stating something or metaphorically freeing something by not hiding it.

Frank is used similarly to words like blunt, open, candid, and outspoken. These words often mean a person is being honest even when it is rude to do so or when the truth is going to hurt. Typically, you will hear phrases like “I’m going to be frank with you” or “To be frank …” when someone wants to warn you that they are about to share an honest—and most likely unpleasant—opinion or fact.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to frank?

• frankness (noun)
• franker (noun)
• frankable (adjective)
• frankly (adverb)

What are some synonyms for frank?

• honest
• blunt
• bold
• direct
• real

What are some words that share a root or word element with frank? 

• frankly
• France 

What are some words that often get used in discussing frank?

• unrestrained
• honesty
• criticism
• advice

How is frank used in real life?

The word frank is often used when someone is giving their honest, forthright opinion. You might use frank to warn that your opinion will be unpopular.

Let's be frank: If the Dolphins loved Dobbins, they would have parted with one of their 900 third-day picks to get him.

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) April 25, 2020

My wife thinks I over-analyse our marriage, which, to be frank completely contradicts the findings of my report.

— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) January 27, 2020

To be frank, the last year and half was not easy. But things change just like people and I’m glad to be where I’m at. In that time I’ve worked on music and this is one of the songs I refined during that time. Hope anyone who finds it enjoys it, full song in my bio pic.twitter.com/ePgK1q9kH8

— adrian (@daydreamso) June 1, 2021

Try using frank!

Is frank used correctly in the following sentence?

Rather than downplay the disaster, the mayor made frank statements that honestly detailed the damage from the tornado.