outspoken adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

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Definition of outspoken adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

outspoken

adjective

/aʊtˈspəʊkən/

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saying exactly what you think, even if this shocks or offends people synonym blunt (2)
- an outspoken opponent of the leader
- outspoken comments
- outspoken in something She was outspoken in her criticism of the plan.
Synonyms honest
honestfrank ▪ direct ▪ open ▪ outspoken ▪ straight ▪ bluntThese words all describe people saying exactly what they mean without trying to hide feelings, opinions or facts.
honest not hiding the truth about something:
Thank you for being so honest with me.
frank honest in what you say, sometimes in a way that other people might not like:
To be frank with you, I think your son has little chance of passing the exam.
direct saying exactly what you mean in a way that nobody can pretend not to understand:
You’ll have to get used to his direct manner.
Being direct is sometimes considered positive but sometimes it is used as a ‘polite’ way of saying that somebody is rude.open (approving) (of a person) not keeping thoughts and feelings hidden:
He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.
outspoken saying exactly what you think, even if this shocks or offends people:
She was outspoken in her criticism of the plan.
straight honest and direct:
I don’t think you’re being straight with me.
blunt saying exactly what you think without trying to be polite:
She has a reputation for blunt speaking.
which word?
- Honest and frank refer to what you say as much as how you say it:
  a(n) honest/frank admission of guilt.
  They are generally positive words, although it is possible to be too frank in a way that other people might not like. Direct, outspoken and blunt all describe somebody’s manner of saying what they think. Outspoken suggests that you are willing to shock people by saying what you believe to be right. Blunt and direct often suggest that you think honesty is more important than being polite. Open is positive and describes somebody’s character:
  I’m a very open person.
Patterns
- honest/frank/direct/open/outspoken/straight about something
- honest/frank/direct/open/straight/blunt with somebody
- a(n) honest/direct/straight/blunt answer
- a frank/direct/blunt manner
Extra Examples
- She has always been outspoken on educational issues.
- outspoken in their opposition to hunting
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
Outspoken is used with these nouns:
advocate
attack
critic
…
See full entry
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See outspoken in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Check pronunciation: outspoken

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noun

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