frankly

adverb

frank·​ly ˈfraŋ-klē How to pronounce frankly (audio)
Synonyms of franklynext
1
: in a frank manner
spoke frankly
2
: in truth : indeed
Frankly, I don't know.

Synonyms of frankly

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Examples of frankly in a Sentence

You can speak frankly to us. frankly, I'd rather stay at home than go to the movies tonight
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a rare lead role, one that gives him a frankly magnificent coat, Turturro adds to his late-career renaissance as an old-school pickpocket who runs afoul of a Gen-Z mobster. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 About the lack of drama, and personality, and, frankly, about the TV channel. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Streamers also are banking that creators can not only bring their audience with them but fill their libraries with content that is, frankly, dramatically less expensive than traditional fare and that is produced at a more rapid clip. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 The film’s pick-me jabs at humor are frankly, flatly unfunny and grating, twisting the film at times into a perverse, almost self-aware treatise on tweeness. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frankly

Word History

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of frankly was in 1537

Rhymes for frankly

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Browse Nearby Words

Franklin tree
frankly
frankmarriage
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Cite this Entry

“Frankly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frankly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

frankly

adverb
frank·​ly ˈfraŋ-klē How to pronounce frankly (audio)
1
: in a frank manner
you can speak frankly to us
2
: to tell the truth
frankly, I don't think it's wise
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