adj

frank

FRANGK

adj

Honest and direct, even if the truth is blunt or uncomfortable.

"She gave a frank assessment of the company's finances."

"To be frank, I don't think the plan will work."

noun

A hot dog or sausage (chiefly US).

"He grilled a dozen franks for the barbecue."

verb

To mark mail as officially exempt from postage, or to send it free of charge.

"Members of Congress can frank their official correspondence."

How to Use Frank

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSpeaking your mind openly and honestly, without softening things.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the adjective "frank" (honest) with the unrelated noun "frank" meaning a hot dog, or the personal name Frank.

Common pairings

to be frank a frank discussion frank admission frank exchange of views

Word Forms

franker comparative, franked past tense, franked past tense, franks plural, franks plural, franks plural, franks plural, Franks plural, franks singular, franks singular, frankest superlative

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She gave a _____ assessment of the company's finances.

Etymology

From Old French franc, "free," originally referring to the Franks, the Germanic people who once ruled much of France — someone "frank" was literally as free and unrestrained as a Frankish nobleman.

Rhymes for frank

bank dank tank rank yank Hank drank stank plank thank prank skank

See all rhymes for frank →