What does frankly mean?
Frankly is an adverb meaning in an open, honest, and direct way. It has two closely related uses: as a manner adverb describing how someone speaks ('she answered frankly'), and as a sentence adverb introducing a candid statement ('Frankly, I disagree'). The sentence-adverb use is especially common in everyday speech and often signals that the speaker is about to offer an unvarnished opinion — one that may be blunt, critical, or socially awkward. Because of this, frankly can soften a message by framing it as honesty, or sharpen it by warning the listener that plain speaking follows. The word descends from 'frank', an adjective meaning free and forthright, which itself comes from the Franks, the Germanic people who gave their name to France; in the early medieval period 'frank' meant 'free', since full political freedom was associated with Frankish status. That ancient link between freedom and truthfulness still echoes every time someone says, quite frankly, exactly what they think.
adverbIn a direct, open, and honest manner; used to emphasize that a statement is candid, sometimes bluntly so. It is also used as a sentence adverb to signal that the speaker is speaking freely or expressing an unvarnished opinion.
- Used to emphasize that a statement is honest and direct, often signaling candour that may be blunt or unwelcome.
- In an open, straightforward manner; without evasion or concealment.
"Frankly, I don't think the plan will work."
"Quite frankly, the report was a disappointment."
"She spoke frankly about her struggles with the illness."
Frankly traces back to the Franks, the Germanic tribe whose very name became the English word for 'free' — because after Rome fell, only Franks were 'free men.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of frankly
Frankly derives from 'frank', meaning open, honest, and free in expression, which was formed from the name of the Franks, the Germanic people who conquered Gaul in the early medieval period. Because the Franks held free status in former Roman territories, their ethnonym came to be used for 'a free man', giving English the adjective 'frank' in the sense of liberal or unrestricted, later narrowed to candour of speech. The adverb 'frankly' developed from this adjective in the 16th century. Related words from the same root include 'franchise' (originally a grant of freedom or privilege) and 'Franc' itself via French.
Related word forms
How frankly is actually used
When placed before a clause ('Frankly, ...'), the word signals that what follows is the speaker's candid opinion and can carry a note of bluntness or even impatience, softening it with 'quite' or 'to be frank' is common in polite conversation. It functions as both a manner adverb ('spoke frankly') and a sentence adverb.
Easily confused with frankly
Frank is an adjective meaning honest or direct (or a noun for a sausage), while frankly is the corresponding adverb used to modify a whole statement.