different between straightforward vs forthright

English

Etymology

From straight +? forward.

Adjective

straightforward (comparative more straightforward, superlative most straightforward)

1. Proceeding in a straight course or manner; not deviating.
2. easy, simple, without difficulty
   • 2013, Daniel Taylor, Steven Gerrard goal against Poland ensures England will go to World Cup (in The Guardian, 15 October 2013)[1]

     Poland played with great energy, quick to the ball, strong in the challenge, and projecting the clear sense they had absolutely no intention whatsoever of making this a straightforward night.

3. (figuratively) direct; honest; frank
   • 1992, George J. Church, "Why Voters Don't Trust Clinton," Time, 20 Apr, p. 38,

     A great deal of the uneasiness about Clinton reflects his propensity to dance away from straightforward yes or no answers to any character question.

Synonyms

• (not deviating): See also Thesaurus:comprehensible
• (easy, simple): See also Thesaurus:easy
• (honest, frank): See also Thesaurus:honest

Derived terms

• straightforwardly
• straightforwardness
• unstraightforward

Translations

Adverb

straightforward (comparative more straightforward, superlative most straightforward)

1. In a straightforward manner; straightforwards; straightforwardly.

Hypernyms

• forward

Translations

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English forþright, forþri?t, forþriht, from Old English forþriht (“direct, plain”); equivalent to forth +? right.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?f?????a?t/

Adjective

forthright (comparative more forthright, superlative most forthright)

1. Straightforward; not evasive; candid and direct.

2. Frank, outspoken.
3. Markedly simple.
4. Fixed; settled; decided.
5. (archaic) Proceeding straight forth.

Derived terms

• forthrightly
• forthrightness
• unforthright

Translations

Noun

forthright (plural forthrights)

1. (archaic) A straight path.
   • c. 1610-11, William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act III scene iii^[1]:

     Gonzalo: […] Here's a maze trod indeed / Through forth-rights and meanders !

Etymology 2

From Middle English forthright, forþri?t, forthricte, from Old English forþrihte (“straightway, at once, plainly”), from forþriht +? -e (“adverbial suffix”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /f?????a?t/

Adverb

forthright (comparative more forthright, superlative most forthright)

1. Expressly, frankly, unhesitatingly.
2. At once, forthwith.
3. Swiftly.
4. (archaic) Straight forward, in a straight direction.

References

• “forthright”, in Merriam–Webster Online Dictionary, (Please provide a date or year).
• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “forthright”, in Online Etymology Dictionary