Word forms: comparative franker, superlative frankest, 3rd person singular presenttense franks, present participle franking, past tense, past participle franked
1. adjective
If someone is frank, they state or express things in an open and honest way.
'It is clear that my client has been less than frank with me,' said his lawyer. [+ about/with]
They had a frank discussion about the issue.
Synonyms: candid, open, free, round More Synonyms of frank
franklyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
You can talk frankly to me.
He now frankly admits that much of his former playboy lifestyle was superficial.
Synonyms: openly, freely, directly, straight More Synonyms of frank
franknessuncountable noun [oft with poss]
The reaction to his frankness was hostile.
Synonyms: outspokenness, openness, candour, truthfulness More Synonyms of frank
2. verb [usually passive]
When a letter or parcel is franked, it is marked with a symbol that shows that the proper charge has been paid or that no stamp is needed.
The letter was franked in London on August 6. [beVERB-ed]
...a self-addressed, franked envelope. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: postmark, mark, stamp More Synonyms of frank
3.
See to be frank
More Synonyms of frank
frank in British English
(fræŋk)
adjective
1.
honest and straightforward in speech or attitude
a frank person
2.
outspoken or blunt
3.
open and avowed; undisguised
frank interest
4. an obsolete word for free, generous
verb(transitive)
5. mainly British
to put a mark on (a letter, parcel, etc), either cancelling the postage stamp or in place of a stamp, ensuring free carriage
See also postmark
6.
to mark (a letter, parcel, etc) with an official mark or signature, indicating the right of free delivery
7.
to facilitate or assist (a person) to come and go, pass, or enter easily
8.
to obtain immunity for or exempt (a person)
noun
9.
an official mark or signature affixed to a letter, parcel, etc, ensuring free delivery or delivery without stamps
10.
the privilege, issued to certain people and establishments, entitling them to delivery without postage stamps
Derived forms
frankable (ˈfrankable)
adjective
franker (ˈfranker)
noun
frankness (ˈfrankness)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French franc, from Medieval Latin francus free; identical with Frank (in Frankish Gaul only members of this people enjoyed full freedom)
Frank in British English1
(fræŋk)
noun
a member of a group of West Germanic peoples who spread from the east bank of the middle Rhine into the Roman Empire in the late 4th century ad, gradually conquering most of Gaul and Germany. The Franks achieved their greatest power under Charlemagne
Word origin
Old English Franca; related to Old High German Franko; perhaps from the name of a typical Frankish weapon (compare Old English franca javelin)
Frank in British English2
noun
1. (Dutch fraŋk)
Anne. 1929–45, German Jew, whose Diary (1947) recorded the experiences of her family while in hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam (1942–44). They were betrayed and she died in a concentration camp
2. (fræŋk)
Robert. 1924–2019, US photographer and film maker, born in Switzerland; best known for his photographic book The Americans (1959)
Frank in American English1
(fræŋk)
noun
a masculine name: dim. Frankie
see also Francis1
Frank in American English2
(fræŋk)
noun
a member of the group of related Germanic peoples that established the Frankish Empire, which, at its height (beginning of the 9th cent. a.d.), extended over what is now France, Germany, and Italy
Word origin
ME < OE Franca & < OFr Franc < LL Francus: see frank1
Frank in American English3
(fræŋk)
1.
Anne1929-45; Jewish victim of the Holocaust, born in Germany: known for diary (published 1947) kept while in hiding in Amsterdam (1942-44): died in Bergen-Belsen
2.
Robert1924- ; U.S. photographer, born in Switzerland
Frank in American English4
Frankish
frank in American English1
(fræŋk)
adjective
1. Archaic
free in giving; generous
2.
open and honest in expressing what one thinks or feels; straightforward; candid
3.
free from reserve, disguise, or guile; clearly evident; plain
showing frank distaste
verb transitive
4.
a.
to send (mail) free of postage, as by virtue of an official position
b.
to mark (mail) as with one's signature so that it can be sent free
c.
to put a stamp on or meter (mail) to prepay postage
5.
to make easy the passage of (a person); allow to pass freely
noun
6.
the privilege of sending mail free
7.
a mark, signature, or stamp on mail for, or in place of, postage
8.
an envelope, etc. that has been franked
SYNONYMY NOTE: frank1 applies to a person, remark, etc. that is free or blunt in expressing the truth oran opinion, unhampered by conventional reticence [a frank criticism]; candid implies a basic honesty that makes deceit or evasion impossible, sometimes to theembarrassment of the listener [a candid opinion]; open implies a lack of concealment and often connotes an ingenuous quality [her open admiration for him]; outspoken suggests a lack of restraint or reserve in speech, esp. when reticence might be preferable
Derived forms
frankness (ˈfrankness)
noun
Word origin
ME < OFr franc, free, frank < ML francus < LL Francus, a Frank, hence free man (i.e., member of the ruling race in Gaul) < Gmc *Frank (> OHG Franco) < ? or akin to *franco, a spear, javelin > OE franca, ON frakka
frank in American English2
(fræŋk)
US
noun
Informal
a frankfurter
Examples of 'frank' in a sentence
frank
What is needed is full and frank information.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They are all guilty of being less than frank with the public.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We welcome an open and frank dialogue with them.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There would no doubt be a frank exchange of views between us.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In this country we have a long history of free and frank exchange of opinions.
The Sun (2012)
DON'T you wish our politicians could be as frank and honest as this?
The Sun (2011)
There are also two frank errors in the plot.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
So have a frank talk with your team about your expectations.
Christianity Today (2000)
The spouse had a duty to the court to make full and frank disclosure of his resources.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He is happy to talk for ages and is open and frank with his views.
The Sun (2015)
There was then a frank exchange with his team over the radio.
The Sun (2016)
That required the full and frank disclosure of all relevant facts and documents.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That's why people are so frank in my show.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Often, the tone of the letters is disturbingly frank.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
If appraisals are not honest and frank, they have no point.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Her letters are frank, witty and humorous.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I thought it was a frank and courageous speech.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He steadfastly rejected criticisms of the company, yet was less than frank in disclosure of his recent share dealings.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I find him open, charming and fully prepared to give a frank assessment of his new self.
The Sun (2013)
Most City people are refreshingly frank about and free of cant about what drives them into the office at 6am each day.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Word lists with
frank
European peoples
In other languages
frank
British English: frank ADJECTIVE
If someone is frank, they state or express things in an open and honest way.
'It is clear that my client has been less than frank with me,' said his lawyer.