frankly
Translation
frankly, honestly, openly
Examples
Frankly, I don't think it's a good idea.
Frankly, I don't think it's a good idea.
She spoke frankly about her past mistakes.
She spoke frankly about her past mistakes.
Grammar Patterns
((Frankly, + clause)) to introduce an honest opinion Frankly, I don't think it's a good idea.
((verb + frankly)) to describe how an action is done She spoke frankly about the issue.
Similar Words
Synonyms: honestly, candidly, directly; Antonyms: dishonestly, deceptively
Etymology
From the adjective 'frank' (open, sincere) + the adverbial suffix '-ly'. 'Frank' originally comes from the name of the Germanic people, the Franks, meaning 'free'.
Memory Tips
Think of the famous line from 'Gone with the Wind': 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.' It perfectly captures the direct, honest tone.