Frankly

Frankly is an adverb that means in an honest and direct way, often to the point of being blunt. It implies a lack of pretense, evasion, or diplomacy. It signals a willingness to express one's true opinions or feelings, even if they might be unpopular or uncomfortable for the listener. It is often used to preface statements that might be considered critical, revealing, or concerning, and is done without any attempts to hide the message in any way. The speaker's intention is clarity and truthfulness, prioritizing honesty over social niceties. This can be for a serious discussion, or to lighten a mood by stating an obvious fact.

Frankly meaning with examples

• Frankly, I was disappointed with the performance of the team last night. They seemed unprepared and lacking in energy. While I understand they're going through a tough season, I expected more from them. The coach needs to address these issues quickly, or they'll continue to lose games. I felt that they were letting everyone down. Their performance was unacceptable, and I expressed my frank assessment to the coach after the game.
• Frankly, the new marketing campaign is a disaster. It's confusing, poorly executed, and completely misses the target audience. Sales are down, and customer feedback has been overwhelmingly negative. The creative team needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with something that actually resonates with consumers. I expressed my honest assessment to my boss, even if it was a harsh statement. They could not ignore the truth of the data.
• “Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn,” said Rhett Butler. This iconic line from Gone With the Wind is a perfect example of the word in action. The statement comes across strong, with no compromise on truth, and demonstrates a lack of concern for the impact of his words on Scarlett O'Hara. In that single moment, the entire relationship was at risk.
• Frankly, it's time we had this conversation. We've been dancing around the issue for too long, and it's causing more problems than it's solving. I'm tired of the games, the avoidance, and the passive-aggressive behavior. Let's just be honest with each other for once and work towards a solution. I think our partnership has gone on far too long. It's either adapt or dissolve at this point. It would be better for both parties to just accept this truth.