What does "frankly" mean?

1. (honestly and directly) used to show that you are saying what you really think, even if it is blunt. 2. (in an open way) speaking or acting in a way that is very open and honest. 3. (clearly or obviously) in a way that is very easy to see or notice.

frankly

adv.

US //ˈfɹæŋkɫi// UK //fɹˈæŋkli// frankly

1 honestly and directly (adv.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

used to show that you are saying what you really think, even if it is blunt.

used as a sentence-modifying adverb to signal that the speaker is being candid, often at the risk of causing offense.

Example

Frankly, I don't think the new plan is going to work.

Example

Frankly, the board was disappointed by the lack of transparency in the quarterly report, though they appreciated your recent efforts to rectify it.
- dishonestly
- evasively
2 in an open way (adv.)
C1 Advanced Formal

speaking or acting in a way that is very open and honest.

in a frank or candid manner; describing the style of communication itself rather than serving as a sentence-level comment.

Example

They discussed their problems frankly and decided to stay friends.

Example

The two leaders spoke frankly about their disagreements, hoping that such directness would prevent further diplomatic escalation.
- openly
- plainly
- secretly

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3 clearly or obviously (adv.)
C2 Proficiency Literary

in a way that is very easy to see or notice.

to a degree that is plainly evident or manifest.

Example

The evidence was frankly visible to anyone who cared to look.

Example

The structural flaws in the argument were frankly apparent even to those without a background in formal logic.
- obscurely

Origin

From frank + -ly.

Word family

Adjectivefrank
Adverbfrankly