12

So, this person is very open, honest and brave to display his vulnerabilities and feelings (because that's what feels natural for him, and as a good thing, to do) whether he's out in public, with strangers, or not. He's being particularly open about his feelings and vulnerabilities, even when it may not be asked for or necessary to do so. There is nothing fake or deceiving about this person. You're always directly connected to whom this person really is.

Improve this question
7
  • 3
    Are we describing someone here, or are we calling up a popular astrological narrative about a type of person?
    – WS2
    Jul 2, 2014 at 23:02
  • It's all about a word or expression that fits with the meaning as described above.
    – user76935
    Jul 2, 2014 at 23:27
  • You might say this person is very extrovert
    – BlueCacti
    Jul 3, 2014 at 12:48
  • 1
    @GroundZero extroverted*, or they are an extrovert.
    – Doc
    Jul 3, 2014 at 13:19
  • 7
    I disagree entirely that extroverted fits here. Extroverted has a very particular meaning that has to do with being "outgoing" and enjoying larger social gatherings. One does not have to wear one's heart on one's sleeve or be emotionally transparent to be extroverted, and many extroverts are not like this.
    – Two-Bit Alchemist
    Jul 3, 2014 at 18:45

8 Answers 8

Reset to default
30

A genuine person fits also.

free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy; sincere: a genuine person.

It can also be applied to personal attributes like feelings, sympathy etc.

Improve this answer
29

A transparent person may be a possible definition.

Transparent:

  • easily understood; manifest; obvious.

  • candid; frank; open.

Being transparent:

Like a looking glass into our soul. Often it is something that isn’t done. It is a way to keep our true self from being seen by others. Being transparent and showing your inner light to others is not something everyone does.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    +1. This seems the most fitting, as it focuses on the (over-)openness of the person, not the honesty or the like. The only possible problem for this is just that it doesn't readily imply active openness, which is prominent in the question description.
    – justhalf
    Jul 3, 2014 at 8:44
27

Someone who does not hide their feelings is said to "Wear their heart on their sleeve", or for a single-word description, the person can be said to be "guileless", meaning there is no insincerity or pretense to them.

As defined in the Google Dictionary:

Guileless: "devoid of guile; innocent and without deception."

Improve this answer
12
  • 6
    @WS2 I wouldn't associate wearing one's heart upon one's sleeve with showing off humanitarian sides. To me it just means being unable to conceal one's feelings (for better or worse). Transparent, on the other hand, I would associate with someone who has ulterior motives—someone you can see right through and who is the exact opposite of honest.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Jul 2, 2014 at 23:05
  • 1
    I'm confused @WS2, I don't see anywhere in the question where morality or connotation were of a concern to the OP. :-s
    – Kristina Lopez
    Jul 2, 2014 at 23:05
  • 1
    @WS2 "'Wearing one's heart on one's sleeve' carries negative tones suggesting that a person constantly makes a show of their humanitarian nature" I've never heard it used with the connotation you mentioned (either being a humanitarian or being a self-righteous humanitarian). Wiktionary defines it as, "To be very transparent, open, or forthright about one's emotions", which I think is exactly right.
    – Matthew Flaschen
    Jul 3, 2014 at 3:50
  • 1
    @justhalf, the definition of "innocent" used in the definition of "guileless" does not mean blameless in that sense. As MWO's definition 2a states: "lacking experience with the world and the bad things that happen in life."
    – Kristina Lopez
    Jul 3, 2014 at 16:59
  • 1
    I like "wearing one's heart on one's sleeve" but not "guileless", since it suggests that guile lies at the heart of the opposite, arguably more normal, behavior. Concealing one's feelings is often appropriate and I think "guile" has too many negative connotations to describe it even by implication, as here.
    – Two-Bit Alchemist
    Jul 3, 2014 at 18:49
13

I would say you answered your own question in the title: the word I would use is sincere.

Improve this answer
2
  • I was hoping there would be a term with a higher degree of sincerity, including being particularly open about your feelings and vulnerabilities, even when it may not be asked for or necessary to do so. Not being open about them doesn't make you insincere, I think.
    – user76935
    Jul 2, 2014 at 19:51
  • 1
    "Not being open about them doesn't make you insincere" -> This is precisely what's not so correct with guileless. I think transparent fits better for your question, since it focuses on the (over-)openness. However it doesn't imply active openness, though.
    – justhalf
    Jul 3, 2014 at 8:46
9

an open book

although to me this implies the negative aspects like naivety

Improve this answer
5

While its antonym, disingenuous is much more commonly heard, you might consider ingenuous

candid; frank; straightforward

Improve this answer
2
  • 2
    Yeah, but look at definition #1: naive, artless, or innocent
    – J A Terroba
    Jul 3, 2014 at 15:28
  • @JATerroba Absolutely. You would need context to clarify what you mean.
    – bib
    Jul 3, 2014 at 21:12
4

Unfiltered is another way to express this. It expresses no connotations about the morality or sentiment expressed, it only expresses that the person shows precisely what is on the inside, whatever it is.

Improve this answer
3

Radically honest would seem to describe what you are talking about, although it's not a single word. 1

Some people on the autistic spectrum also display radical honesty without regard to social context or social consequences. 2

[1] Radical Honesty

[2] Caetextia

Improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.