/ fræŋk; NAmE / adjective , verb
■ adjective
( frank·er , frank·est
HELP NOTE : more frank is also common
) honest and direct in what you say, sometimes in a way that other people might not like :
a full and frank discussion
a frank admission of guilt
He was very frank about his relationship with the actress.
To be frank with you , I think your son has little chance of passing the exam.
➡ note at honest
► frank·ness noun [ U ]:
They outlined their aims with disarming frankness.
■ verb
[ vn ] [ often passive ] to stamp a mark on an envelope, etc. to show that the cost of posting it has been paid or does not need to be paid
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WORD ORIGIN
adjective Middle English (in the sense free ): from Old French franc , from medieval Latin francus free, from Francus (only Franks had full freedom in Frankish Gaul), of the same origin and related to French . Another Middle English sense was generous , which led to the current sense.
verb early 18th cent.: from the adjective frank , an early sense being free of obligation .