can´did|ly

can|did «KAN dihd», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. saying openly what one really thinks; frank and sincere; outspoken: »

a candid reply. Please be candid with me. Save me from the candid friend (George Canning).

SYNONYM(S): truthful, straightforward, open. See syn. under frank¹. (Cf. ↑frank)

2. fair; impartial: »

a candid decision.

SYNONYM(S): unbiased, just.

3. not posed: »

a candid photograph of children playing. Including…pictures of noted musicians and of audiences, taken mostly in the candid manner, the show is an interesting demonstration of photographic opportunities in the musical world (New York Times).

4. Archaic. pure; stainless; innocent.

5. Obsolete. white.

–n.

an unposed photograph: »

The [camera] will…give you so much photographic fun, so many opportunities for those once-in-a-lifetime candids (New Yorker).

╂[< Latin candidus white, clear; pure, sincere < candēre to shine, glow]

–can´did|ly, adverb.

–can´did|ness, noun.