candid

1 of 2

adjective

can·​did ˈkan-dəd 

1

a

: marked by honest sincere expression

a candid discussion

b

: disposed to criticize severely : blunt

candid critics

c

: indicating or suggesting sincere honesty and absence of deception

her candid face

2

: free from bias, prejudice, or malice : fair

a candid observer

3

: relating to or being photography of one or more subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posed

candid photos of the family at play

4

: white

candid flames

candidly adverb

candidness noun

candid

2 of 2

noun

plural candids

: a photograph of one or more subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posed : a candid photograph

If you are taking candids, it can be hard to capture the one split-second where the baby cracks a smile.

—Michael Hession

The Chicago native's fascinating shots capture subjects in both portraits and candids that evoke Black joy.

—New York Amsterdam News

"Lunch with my girl," Reese captioned this cute candid of the two enjoying delicious-looking salads.

—Mike Vulpo

Did you know?

The Many Shades of Candid

It is interesting that candid, which has the original meaning in English of “white,” should have so many colors of meaning. The word comes from the French candide, which is from the Latin candidus (“bright, white”). Candid is not often used to mean “white” these days, and has shed another of its older meanings, “clear, pure.” Many of its current meanings are concerned with forms of honesty and forthrightness. It may refer to the indication or suggestion of sincere honesty (“her candid eyes”), or to something being marked by honest expression (“a candid talk”). However, it also carries the meaning of bluntness (or “disposed to criticize severely”), as well as “free from bias, prejudice, or malice.” The most recent sense it has taken on is in the vocabulary of photography: “relating to or being photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posed.”

Synonyms

Adjective

• direct
• forthcoming
• forthright
• foursquare
• frank
• free-spoken
• freehearted
• honest
• open
• openhearted
• out-front
• outspoken
• plain
• plainspoken
• straight
• straightforward
• unguarded
• unreserved
• up-front

Choose the Right Synonym for candid

frank, candid, open, plain mean showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks.

frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience.

frank discussions

candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion.

a candid appraisal

open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid.

open in saying what they think

plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression.

plain talk

Examples of candid in a Sentence

Adjective

If Bart Knaggs had been totally candid, he would have told me that when his prospective father-in-law, who was a doctor, had heard that the cancer had moved into my lungs, he said to Bart, "Well, your friend is dead." —Lance Armstrong, It's Not About the Bike, (2000) 2001

To be candid, I have wondered whether it is fair to write about a man for whom I cannot help but feel a real distaste. —Jill Lepore, Journal of American History, June 2001

There are candid … anecdotes of open-heart surgery. —Joyce Carol Oates, New York Times Book Review, 30 Sept. 1990

He was quite candid about his past.

She gave us her candid opinion on the matter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

These images, originally captured by Google Maps' street-view cars, are often candid snapshots that offer glimpses into everyday moments in the posters' pasts. —Tabitha Parent, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024

Melissa Desmarais, who is pregnant with her second baby, posted a public service announcement on Instagram to give men, in particular, a tip on how to help their wives and girlfriends through the wildness of pregnancy: by taking candid photos and videos. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

As his excellent new book, How to Disappear: A Portrait of Radiohead, reveals, bassist Colin Greenwood has been snapping candid, lovely photographs of his bandmates since the early 2000s — in the studio, in dressing rooms, and even, somehow, onstage during the middle of their concerts. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024

In November, Prince William got candid about the family's rough year during an interview with reporters in Cape Town, South Africa. —Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French & Latin; French candide, from Latin candidus bright, white, from candēre to shine, glow; akin to Welsh can white, Sanskrit candati it shines

Noun

derivative of candid entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing candid

• candid camera

Kids Definition

candid

adjective

can·​did ˈkan-dəd 

1

: marked by or showing sincere honesty : frank

2

: relating to photography of people acting naturally without being posed

candid picture

candidly adverb

candidness noun

Etymology

Adjective

from French candide "white" and Latin candidus "white, bright," from Latin candēre "to shine, be bright" — related to candidate, candle see Word History at candidate