Candid: direct and honest in expression
Candid means open and honest when expressing a view. It comes from Latin candidus, meaning white or bright, which also developed associations with sincerity. A candid review might say that the event was enjoyable but the seating was uncomfortable, instead of hiding the criticism behind vague praise.
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Saying what you actually think
Candid is an adjective for frank, open expression. It comes from Latin candidus, meaning white or bright, a word that also carried associations with sincerity.
A candid assessment states the speaker's view directly. It may include praise, criticism or both. The word does not require rudeness: a person can describe a problem plainly while choosing respectful language.
Common combinations include:
- A candid account of what happened.
- A candid discussion about the result.
Candid also has a photographic use: a candid photograph captures an unposed moment. In a sentence about feedback, however, the relevant meaning is frankness. Specific wording, such as the seats were uncomfortable, communicates more than saying that some aspects could perhaps be improved.