Frankness
/ˈfræŋk.nəs/noun
The quality of being open, honest, and direct in speech or manner.
Did you know?“Frank” originally meant a member of the Franks, and in medieval Latin the name became linked to being free, which helped the word shift toward the idea of open, unreserved speech.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*Frankon
“A Frank, member of the Germanic people called the Franks”
Late Latin
Latin
Francus
“A Frank; by extension, free or exempt”
Old French
OF
franc
“Free, noble, sincere, unrestrained”
Middle English
English
frank
“Free, open, bold in speech”
16th Century
English
franknesse
“The quality of being frank; openness and candor”
Modern English
English
frankness
“The quality of being open, honest, and direct”
Explore more surprising origins