The word frank comes from the name of the Franks, a West Germanic people who lived long ago. In the early Middle Ages the Franks were in power in France. (It was from them that the country got its name, in Latin Francia.) FRANK definition: 1.

Understanding the Context

honest, sincere, and telling the truth, even when this might be awkward or make other people…. Learn more. Frank is a 2014 black comedy film directed by Lenny Abrahamson from a screenplay by Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan. It stars Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Scoot McNairy, and François Civil.

Key Insights

If someone is frank, they state or express things in an open and honest way. They had a frank discussion about the issue. You can talk frankly to me. He now frankly admits that much of his former playboy lifestyle was superficial. The reaction to his frankness was hostile.

Final Thoughts

To be frank is to be honest. Also, it's a hot dog. Eating a frank at the ballpark is, to be frank, an all-American experience. If you're open, honest, and candid, you're frank — that can mean refreshing honesty or too much information. Frank also has some lesser known uses. From Middle English frank, from Old French franc (“free”), in turn from the name of an early Germanic confederation, the Franks, from Proto-West Germanic *frankō (“javelin, spear”).

Doublet of Frank, franc and farang. Frank is used to describe something that is honest and straightforward, especially in speech, as in The fashion show judge gave frank criticism to every contestant, even if they didn’t want it. To be brutally frank with you, I don't think you're good enough. We had a full and frank discussion.