openly

openly — adverb

1. in a way that shows your real opinions, feelings, or information instead of keep

1.adverbC1
Definition

in a way that shows your real opinions, feelings, or information instead of keeping them hidden.

Example

After months of silence, Priya openly admitted she needed help.

openly + admit

The mayor openly criticized the plan during the town meeting.

openly + criticize

Common collocations
  • openly admit
  • openly criticize
  • openly discuss
  • openly support
  • openly oppose
Synonyms
  • frankly

    often introduces a direct opinion, especially in conversation

  • honestly

    stresses truthfulness and is also common as a speech marker

  • candidly

    close in meaning but slightly more formal

  • publicly

    focuses on being in front of other people, not necessarily on emotional openness

Antonyms
  • secretly

    shows deliberate hiding from other people

  • guardedly

    shows care not to reveal too much

Grammar Patterns

openly + admit

openly + criticize

openly + support

openly + state + that-clause

Usage Note

Common with verbs of speech and attitude, especially admit, discuss, criticize, support, and oppose. Compare publicly, which mainly stresses that other people can see or hear something, while openly also suggests frankness and no attempt to hide the truth.

Common Mistakes

Lina openly to her boss about the problem.
Lina spoke openly to her boss about the problem.
'openly' modifies a verb; it cannot replace the verb itself.
The letter openly the problem.
The letter openly discussed the problem.
use 'openly' with a verb that names speaking, showing, or admitting.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

For adverb/1, openly suggests that nothing is being hidden, whether you are talking to one person or many. Frankly is often used to introduce a plain opinion, so it sounds more conversational and personal. Honestly also points to truthfulness, but speakers often use it loosely as a discourse marker, as in Honestly, I forgot. Candidly is very close to openly, though it is slightly more formal and common in interviews or careful discussion. Publicly is different: it stresses that other people can see or hear the action, but it does not always mean the speaker is emotionally open. You can speak openly to a friend in private, but publicly announce a decision without sharing your real feelings.

frankly ↗honestly ↗candidlypublicly ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • speak openly
  • talk openly about
  • openly admit
  • openly criticize

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Openly was formed in English by adding the adverb suffix -ly to open. Open goes back to Old English and has long carried the idea of something not shut, covered, or concealed. From that physical picture, openly developed the figurative sense of showing thoughts, feelings, or information without hiding them.