Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of being open, honest, and straightforward in speech or attitude; frankness. It refers to a sincere and direct expression of thoughts or feelings without deception or evasion.
   • The quality of being fair, impartial, and free from bias or prejudice. This meaning relates to making judgments without discrimination.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • I appreciate your candour about the difficulties we are facing.
  • The manager's candour during the meeting, while blunt, was ultimately helpful.
  • The committee must act with complete candour and fairness.

Advanced Usage

• "Brutal candour": A phrase describing honesty that is so direct and unfiltered it may seem harsh or unkind.
  • His feedback was a case of brutal candour, but it highlighted the core problems.
• "In all candour": A phrase used to introduce a statement that is honest, even if it is difficult to say or hear.
  • In all candour, I think this project is unlikely to succeed.

Variants and Related Words

• Candid (adj): Characterized by directness and honesty in expression.
  • She gave a candid assessment of the proposal.
• Candidly (adv): In an honest and straightforward manner.
  • He spoke candidly about his past mistakes.

Synonyms

• Frankness: Openness and honesty in expression.
• Directness: The quality of being straightforward.
• Openness: Lack of secrecy or pretense.
• Impartiality: Equal treatment of all rivals or subjects; fairness.

Antonyms

• Deceit: The action of deceiving someone.
• Evasion: The action of avoiding something, especially a direct answer.
• Dishonesty: The quality of being untruthful.
• Bias: Inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To speak with candour": To talk in an honest and open way.
  • The CEO spoke with candour to the employees about the company's financial state.

Noun

1. ability to make judgments free from discrimination or dishonesty
2. the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech