candid Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
    frank; straight-from-the-shoulder; outspoken; point-blank; plainspoken; blunt; free-spoken; forthright.
    • blunt talking and straight shooting
    • a blunt New England farmer
    • I gave them my candid opinion
    • forthright criticism
    • a forthright approach to the problem
    • tell me what you think--and you may just as well be frank
    • it is possible to be outspoken without being rude
    • plainspoken and to the point
    • a point-blank accusation
  2. adjective satellite informal or natural; especially caught off guard or unprepared
    • a candid photograph
    • a candid interview
  3. adjective satellite openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness
    open; heart-to-heart.
    • his candid eyes
    • an open and trusting nature
    • a heart-to-heart talk

WordNet

Can*did adjective
Etymology
F. candide (cf. It. candido), L. candidus white, fr. candëre to be of a glowing white; akin to accendre, incendre, to set on fire, Skr. chand to shane. Cf. Candle, Incense.
Definitions
  1. White. Obs.
    The box receives all black; but poured from thence, The stones came candid forth, the hue of innocence. Dryden.
  2. Free from undue bias; disposed to think and judge according to truth and justice, or without partiality or prejudice; fair; just; impartial; as, a candid opinion. "Candid and dispassionate men." W. Irving.
  3. Open; frank; ingenuous; outspoken. Syn. -- Fair; open; ingenuous; impartial; just; frank; artless; unbiased; equitable. -- Candid, Fair, Open, Frank, Ingenuous. A man is fair when he puts things on a just or equitable footing; he is candid when be looks impartially on both sides of a subject, doing justice especially to the motives and conduct of an opponent; he is open and frank when he declares his sentiments without reserve; he is ingenuous when he does this from a noble regard for truth. Fair dealing; candid investigation; an open temper; a frank disposition; an ingenuous answer or declaration.

Webster 1913