Frankly vs Openly

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Frankly

Top 2,000 (common) C1 adverb

Openly

Top 2,000 (common) B2 adverb

	Frankly	Openly
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈfræŋkli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈfræŋkli/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈəʊpənli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈəʊpənli/"]/
Meaning	Honestly or directly.	In a way that is clear and free to see or know.
Example	He spoke frankly about the ordeal.	Can you talk openly about sex with your parents?
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	C1	B2
Part of speech	adverb	adverb
Collocations	speak frankly, frankly speaking, respond frankly	speak openly, discuss openly, express feelings openly
Antonyms	deceptively, insincerely, dishonestly	secretly, covertly, privately
Common mistakes	Used in questions when it should be a statement., Confused with 'frank' as an adjective., Overused in casual settings.	Confusing with 'open' as an adjective., Using it in a sarcastic tone by mistake., Not realizing it can mean without secrecy.
Usage notes	Use 'frankly' when you want to express your honest opinion. It's often used in more serious conversations and might be considered too direct for very formal contexts.	Use 'openly' when describing actions or feelings that are shared clearly with others. It can be less appropriate in formal contexts where discretion is valued.

See it in real clips

We're tight but frankly, there's a lot of windows up here.

Frankly, I don't see how you can vote for acquittal.

Sherlock › S1 E1

- No. No, he wasn't, really, was he? - Frankly, a bloody awful cabbie.

We're tight but frankly, there's a lot of windows up here.

Frankly, I don't see how you can vote for acquittal.

Frankly

Frequently asked questions: Frankly vs Openly

What's the difference between Frankly and Openly?

Frankly: Honestly or directly. Openly: In a way that is clear and free to see or know.

Which is more advanced: Frankly and Openly?

Frankly is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Frankly and Openly the same CEFR level?

Frankly: C1, Openly: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Frankly and Openly?

Frankly: adverb, Openly: adverb.

Can you show an example of each?

Frankly: He spoke frankly about the ordeal. Openly: Can you talk openly about sex with your parents?

Can I use Frankly and Openly interchangeably?

Not always. Frankly and Openly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.