candor

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

Also spelled candour

US /ˈkændɚ/ UK /ˈkændə/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
the quality of being open, honest, and frank

She answered the difficult question with disarming candor.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the quality of being open,... frankness honesty openness directness sincerityforthrightnessbluntness

Opposites

dishonesty insincerityevasiveness

Word family

Related forms candid candidly candidness

Simplified etymology

Candour entered English in the late Middle English period and ultimately derives from the same Latin source as candid, candidus, “white.” Its meaning developed from “whiteness” to openness and honesty in expression.

Etymology

From Latin candor ('whiteness, purity, sincerity'), from candēre ('to shine, be white').

candor Latin candēre Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# candor

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈkændɚ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈkændə/

## Meanings
1. the quality of being open, honest, and frank

## Examples
- She answered the difficult question with disarming candor.

## Synonyms
- frankness
- honesty
- openness
- directness
- sincerity
- forthrightness
- bluntness

## Antonyms
- dishonesty
- insincerity
- evasiveness

## Related Forms
- candid
- candidly
- candidness

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: candor
- Root: candēre

## Etymology
From Latin candor ('whiteness, purity, sincerity'), from candēre ('to shine, be white').

## AI Etymology
Candor comes from Latin candor ('whiteness, purity, sincerity'), from candēre ('to shine, be white'). The historical trail runs through candor in Latin and candēre in Latin. Used as a noun, candor now means "the quality of being open, honest, and frank", so the present definition can be read against the older forms and meanings. The same lexical family is also visible in related forms such as candid, candidly, and candidness. The result is a borrowed or transmitted form whose modern spelling carries a compact record of its route into English.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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