Etymology From Middle English forþright, forþriʒt, forþriht, from Old English forþriht (“direct, plain”). By surface analysis, forth + right.
1
Straightforward; not evasive; candid and direct.
The witness was considered eminently credible thanks to her forthright answers.
2
Frank, outspoken.
TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes was typically forthright in his criticism by claiming that Sunak had "blatantly failed" to cure "a growing tragedy", as "every single day, more and more families can't make ends meet".2022 April 6, “Network News: Spring Statement: Sunak accused of making rail less competitive”, in RAIL, number 954, page 8:
Gonzalo: […]Here's a maze trod indeed / Through forth-rights and meanders !1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:
forthright
adv
UK /fɔːθˈɹaɪt/
Etymology From Middle English forthright, forþriʒt, forthricte, from Old English forþrihte (“straightway, at once, plainly”), from forþriht + -e (“adverbial suffix”). By surface analysis, forth + right.
1
Expressly, frankly, unhesitatingly.
2
At once, forthwith.
3
Swiftly.
4
Archaic Straight forward, in a straight direction.