Meaning & use
outspoken
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Willing to say openly what you think, even when others may disagree.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a verb: an outspoken critic, she is outspoken.
Patterns
- outspoken about something
- an outspoken critic
She is outspoken about unfair pay.
An outspoken critic of the plan, he spoke at every meeting.
The outspoken coach told reporters exactly what he thought.
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
Blunt or frank to the point of being rude or tactless.
Grammar: Sometimes critical: his outspoken manner upset guests.
Patterns
- too outspoken
His outspoken remarks embarrassed his hosts.
Her outspoken comments about the food annoyed the cook.
Being outspoken cost him the job offer.
Word forms
| comparative | more outspoken |
|---|---|
| superlative | most outspoken |
Common combinations
- outspoken critic
- He was an outspoken critic of the policy.
- outspoken supporter
- She became an outspoken supporter of the park.
- remarkably outspoken
- The shy girl grew remarkably outspoken.
- outspoken views
- His outspoken views made him well known.
- outspoken about
- The player is outspoken about safety.
Synonyms and how they differ
- frank
- Frank suggests honesty without much harshness, while outspoken suggests saying things others might not.
- blunt
- Blunt stresses a lack of tact, which is stronger than outspoken.
- candid
- Candid is gentle and honest, while outspoken can sound bold or controversial.
- vocal
- Vocal means speaking out often and loudly, not necessarily bluntly.
Opposites
Word family
- outspokenly adverb
- in a frank, open manner
- outspokenness noun
- the quality of speaking openly
- speak out phrasal verb
- to say your opinion publicly
Commonly confused: outspoken or outspoken vs. well-spoken?
outspoken vs outspoken vs. well-spoken
Well-spoken means speaking in a polite, clear way, while outspoken means speaking openly.
Practice
A person who openly criticizes a policy at every meeting is best described as:
Choose one answer.
Outspoken means saying what you think openly. Reserved, evasive and timid all describe people who hold back.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “outspoken”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.