Candid

Adjective

Definition: Completely honest, straightforward, and without pretense.

Synonyms: Frank, Open, Sincere, Honest, Genuine, Forthright

Antonyms: Deceitful, Dishonest, Insincere, Misleading, Deceptive

Examples:

She gave me a candid assessment of my performance.
He appreciated her candid response to his question.

Mnemonics:

"Candid conversations can be refreshing."
"Candid people don't shy away from telling the truth."

Etymology:

Origin:

Late 17th century (in the sense 'white'): from Latin candidus 'white, shining, pure'.

Historical Usage:

The word candid originated from Latin with the meaning "white". Over time, it gained the sense of being honest and pure in character.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Candid camera"

Explanation:

Refers to the concept of capturing unposed and genuine reactions of people without their knowledge. It comes from the title of a popular television show and has become a phrase commonly used to describe candid photography or video footage.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "candid" with "candied".

Explanation:

"Candid" and "candied" are homophones, but have completely different meanings. "Candid" refers to being honest and straightforward, while "candied" means coated or preserved in sugar. It is important to differentiate between the two words to avoid confusion in communication.