Definition of 'frank'
Word forms: comparative franker
, superlative frankest
, 3rd person singular present tense franks
, present participle franking
, past tense, past participle franked
1. adjective
If someone is frank, they state or express things in an open and honest way.
2. verb [usually passive]
When a letter or parcel is franked, it is marked with a symbol that shows that the proper charge has been paid or that no stamp is needed.
3.
See to be frank
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
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Word Frequency
frank in British English
adjective
verb (transitive)
5. mainly British
to put a mark on (a letter, parcel, etc), either cancelling the postage stamp or in place of a stamp, ensuring free carriage
See also postmark 6.
7.
to facilitate or assist (a person) to come and go, pass, or enter easily
noun
9.
an official mark or signature affixed to a letter, parcel, etc, ensuring free delivery or delivery without stamps
10.
the privilege, issued to certain people and establishments, entitling them to delivery without postage stamps
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
frankable (ˈfrankable) adjective
franker (ˈfranker)
noun
frankness (ˈfrankness)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French franc, from Medieval Latin francus free; identical with Frank (in Frankish Gaul only members of this people enjoyed full freedom)
Word Frequency
Frank in British English 1
noun
a member of a group of West Germanic peoples who spread from the east bank of the middle Rhine into the Roman Empire in the late 4th century ad, gradually conquering most of Gaul and Germany. The Franks achieved their greatest power under Charlemagne
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
Old English Franca; related to Old High German Franko; perhaps from the name of a typical Frankish weapon (compare Old English franca javelin)
Word Frequency
Frank in British English 2
noun
2. (fræŋk
)
Robert. 1924–2019, US photographer and film maker, born in Switzerland; best known for his photographic book The Americans (1959)
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
Frank in American English 2
noun
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
Frank in American English 3
1.
2.
Robert1924- ; U.S. photographer, born in Switzerland
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
Frank in American English 4
Frankish
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
frank in American English 1
adjective
verb transitive
4.
b.
to mark (mail) as with one's signature so that it can be sent free
c.
to put a stamp on or meter (mail) to prepay postage
5.
to make easy the passage of (a person); allow to pass freely
noun
SYNONYMY NOTE: frank1 applies to a person, remark, etc. that is free or blunt in expressing the truth or
an opinion, unhampered by conventional reticence [a frank criticism]; candid implies a basic honesty that makes deceit or evasion impossible, sometimes to the
embarrassment of the listener [a candid opinion]; open implies a lack of concealment and often connotes an ingenuous quality [her open admiration for him]; outspoken suggests a lack of restraint or reserve in speech, esp. when reticence might be preferable6.
the privilege of sending mail free
7.
a mark, signature, or stamp on mail for, or in place of, postage
8.
an envelope, etc. that has been franked
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
frankness (ˈfrankness)
noun
Word origin
ME < OFr franc, free, frank < ML francus < LL Francus, a Frank, hence free man (i.e., member of the ruling race in Gaul) < Gmc *Frank (> OHG Franco) < ? or akin to *franco, a spear, javelin > OE franca, ON frakkaWord Frequency
frank in American English 2
US
noun
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
frank in American English 1
(fræŋk) (adjective -er, -est)
adjective
1.
direct and unreserved in speech; straightforward; sincere
Her criticism of my work was frank but absolutely fair
5. obsolete
free
noun
6.
a signature or mark affixed by special privilege to a letter, package, or the like to ensure its transmission free of charge, as by mail
7.
the privilege of franking letters, packages, etc
8.
a franked letter, package, etc
transitive verb
SYNONYMS 1. unrestrained, free, bold, uninhibited. frank, candid, open, outspoken imply a freedom and boldness in speaking. frank is applied to one unreserved in expressing the truth and to one’s real opinions and
sentiments: a frank analysis of a personal problem. candid suggests that one is sincere and truthful or impartial and fair in judgment, sometimes
unpleasantly so: a candid expression of opinion. open implies a lack of reserve or of concealment: open antagonism. outspoken applies to a person who expresses himself or herself freely, even when this is inappropriate:
an outspoken and unnecessary show of disapproval. ANTONYMS 1. restrained.9.
to mark (a letter, package, etc.) for transmission free of the usual charge, by virtue of official or special privilege; send free of charge, as mail
10.
to convey (a person) free of charge
12.
to facilitate the comings and goings of (a person), esp. in society
A sizable inheritance will frank you faster than anything else
13.
to secure exemption for
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
frankable adjective
franker
noun
Word origin
[1250–1300; ME ‹ OF franc ‹ LL francus free, orig. frank]Word Frequency
frank in American English 2
(fræŋk)
noun
informal
a frankfurter
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1900–05, Amer.; by shortening]Word Frequency
Frank in American English 1
(fræŋk)
noun
1.
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[bef. 900; ME Franke, OE Franca (c. OHG Franko), perh. from the Gmc base of OE franka spear, javelin, a weapon allegedly favored by the Franks]Word Frequency
Frank. in American English
abbreviation
Frankish
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Examples of 'frank' in a sentence
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frank
British English: frank
ADJECTIVE /fræŋk/
If someone is frank, they state or express things in an open and honest way.
'It is clear that my client has been less than frank with me,' said his lawyer.
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Definition of frank from the Collins English Dictionary
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