candid
/'kændid/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness: Describes a person, their manner, or communication that is honest, sincere, and not intended to hide anything.
- Informal or natural; especially caught off guard or unprepared: Describes something, like a photograph or moment, that is unposed and captures a genuine, spontaneous state.
- Characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion: Describes an opinion or statement that is frank, blunt, and to the point, even if it is potentially unwelcome.
Usage Examples
- Describing a person's nature or expression:
- She has a candid face that makes people trust her immediately.
- He was candid about his past mistakes during the interview.
- Describing an unposed, spontaneous capture:
- The photographer specializes in candid shots of people in the city.
- It was a candid moment, caught on film before they noticed the camera.
- Describing a frank opinion or speech:
- May I be candid? I think this plan has several flaws.
- The manager appreciated her candid feedback on the new policy.
Advanced Usage
- "To be candid with you": A phrase used to preface a very honest, and possibly critical, statement.
- To be candid with you, I don't believe the project will succeed on its current timeline.
- "In all candor/candour": A formal expression meaning "speaking with complete honesty."
- In all candor, the company's financial situation is more serious than previously stated.
Variants and Related Words
- Candor / Candour (noun): The quality of being open, honest, and straightforward in speech or expression.
- I admire your candor in this difficult situation.
- Candidly (adverb): In an honest and direct way.
- He spoke candidly about the challenges he faced.
Synonyms
- Frank: Open, honest, and direct in speech or writing, especially when dealing with unpalatable matters.
- Forthright: Direct and outspoken; straightforward and honest.
- Blunt: Uncompromisingly forthright in speech, sometimes to the point of seeming rude.
- Straightforward: Easy to understand; direct and honest in manner.
Antonyms
- Secretive: Inclined to conceal feelings, intentions, or information.
- Evasive: Tending to avoid commitment or direct answers; equivocal.
- Disingenuous: Not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does.
Idioms and Phrases
- Candid camera: Refers to a hidden camera or the genre of photography/filming that captures people in unguarded, spontaneous moments.
- The show used candid camera techniques to film people's reactions.
- (A) candid friend: (Often ironic) A person who claims to be honest and straightforward, but whose "honest" remarks are often critical or hurtful.
- Beware of candid friends who offer criticism under the guise of honesty.
Adjective
- openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness
- his candid eyes
- an open and trusting nature
- a heart-to-heart talk
- informal or natural; especially caught off guard or unprepared
- a candid photograph
- a candid interview
- characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
- blunt talking and straight shooting
- a blunt New England farmer
- I gave them my candid opinion
- forthright criticism
- a forthright approach to the problem
- tell me what you think--and you may just as well be frank
- it is possible to be outspoken without being rude
- plainspoken and to the point
- a point-blank accusation