Candor — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkan-dər/ can·dor

Meaning & Definition of Candor

Candor (noun)

  1. the quality of being open, honest, and sincere, forthrightness
  2. freedom from prejudice or malice, fairness
  3. brightness, brilliance

Candor (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions

    "an interview in which the members of the rock band speak with candor about their recent squabbling"

    similar: bluntness, candidness, directness, forthrightness, frankness, honesty, openheartedness, openness, outspokenness, plainness, plainspokenness, plumpness, straightforwardness, unguardedness, unreserve, unreservedness
    related: earnestness, sincerity, sobriety, artlessness, genuineness, naïveté, simplicity, unsophistication, communicativeness, freedom, license, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, unrestraint
    opposite: dissembling, dissimulation, indirection
    near: circuitousness, evasiveness, secretiveness, inhibition, reserve, restraint, reticence, shyness, diplomacy, tact

  2. the quality or state of having or giving off light

    "the desert sun shone down on the intrepid travelers with fiery candor"

    similar: brightness, brilliance, brilliancy, dazzle, effulgence, illumination, lambency, lightness, luminance, luminosity, luminousness, luster, lustrousness, radiance, refulgence, splendor
    related: blaze, flare, flash, flicker, light, fluorescence, incandescence, luminescence, burnish, gloss, polish, sheen, shine, shininess, fire, flame, glare, glow, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, scintillation, shimmer, sparkle, twinkle
    opposite: blackness, dark, darkness, dullness, duskiness
    near: dimness, gloominess, somberness, cloudiness, haziness, murkiness, obscureness, obscurity, colorlessness, grayness, lackluster, paleness, shadiness, shadowiness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Candor

The most common words with a similar meaning to Candor:

bluntness, candidness, directness, forthrightness, frankness, honesty, openheartedness, openness, outspokenness, plainness, plainspokenness, plumpness, straightforwardness, unguardedness, unreserve, unreservedness, brightness, brilliance, brilliancy, dazzle, effulgence, illumination, lambency, lightness, luminance, luminosity, luminousness, luster, lustrousness, radiance, refulgence, splendor

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Candor

Words with the opposite meaning of Candor:

dissembling, dissimulation, indirection, blackness, dark, darkness, dullness, duskiness

Related Words for Candor

earnestness, sincerity, sobriety, artlessness, genuineness, naïveté, simplicity, unsophistication, communicativeness, freedom, license, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, unrestraint, blaze, flare, flash, flicker, light, fluorescence, incandescence, luminescence, burnish, gloss, polish, sheen, shine, shininess, fire, flame

Near Antonyms of Candor

circuitousness, evasiveness, secretiveness, inhibition, reserve, restraint, reticence, shyness, diplomacy, tact, dimness, gloominess, somberness, cloudiness, haziness, murkiness, obscureness, obscurity, colorlessness, grayness, lackluster, paleness, shadiness, shadowiness

Origin & Etymology of Candor

borrowed from French & Latin; French candeur, borrowed from Latin candōr-, candor "brightness, radiance, whiteness, disposition to think well (of)," noun derivative in -ōr- corresponding to candēre "to shine, be white," candidus "bright, white" candid:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Candor

Frequently Asked Questions about Candor

What does "Candor" mean?

"Candor" means the quality of being open, honest, and sincere, forthrightness. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality of being open, honest, and sincere, forthrightness. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Candor"?

Other words for "Candor" include bluntness, candidness, directness, forthrightness, frankness, honesty, openheartedness and openness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Candor" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Candor"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Candor". Common alternatives include bluntness, candidness, directness, forthrightness, frankness, honesty, openheartedness, openness, outspokenness and plainness.

What is the opposite of "Candor"?

Antonyms of "Candor" include dissembling, dissimulation, indirection, blackness, dark, darkness, dullness and duskiness. Near antonyms include circuitousness, evasiveness, secretiveness and inhibition.

How do you use "Candor" in a sentence?

Examples of "Candor" in a sentence: "an interview in which the members of the rock band speak with candor about their recent squabbling"; "the desert sun shone down on the intrepid travelers with fiery candor".

Is "Candor" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Candor" is a noun.

Is "Candor" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Candor" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Candor"?

"Candor" is pronounced /ˈkan-dər/ and divided into syllables as can·dor.