candid

adjective

1. 1

   Impartial and free from prejudice.

   He knew not where to look for faithful advice, efficient aid, or candid judgement.

   Asked about the Brexit vote, the candid president told Marr: «I am not the one to judge or comment on the decision of your people.»

2. 2

   Straightforward, open and sincere, whether people find either refreshing or distasteful.

   a surprisingly candid admission of guilt

   “I know you do; and it is that which makes the wonder. With your good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of others! Affectation of candour is common enough;—one meets with it everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design—to take the good of everybody's character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad—belongs to you alone.[…]”

   My candid opinion was that it was all rubbish!

   Sam Altman, the chief executive and co-founder of OpenAI, has been ousted from his own company after its board accused him of “being not consistently candid in his communications”.

3. 3

   Unposed or rehearsed.

   Will the introduction of supplementary flash or flood intrude on a candid picture situation or ruin the mood?

4. 4

   obsoleteBright; white.

   The Box receives all Black, but, pour'd from thence, / The Stones came candid forth; the Hue of Innocence.

noun

1. 1

   A spontaneous or unposed photograph.

   His portraits looked stiff and formal but his candids showed life being lived.

   When he held the Guild Chair, the office walls were not, as they are now, festooned with orchestrated candids of Chancre and municipal burghers, Chancre herding his porcine family in their Sunday best.

Forms

plural

candids

comparative

more candid, candider

superlative

most candid, candidest