straight

1 of 4

adjective

1
a
: free from curves, bends, angles, or irregularities
straight hair
straight timber
b
: generated by a point moving continuously in the same direction and expressed by a linear equation
a straight line
the straight segment of a curve
2
a
: lying along or holding to a direct or proper course or method
a straight thinker
b
: candid, frank
a straight answer
c
: coming directly from a trustworthy source
a straight tip on the horses
d(1)
: having the elements in an order
the straight sequence of events
(2)
: consecutive
12 straight days
e
: having the cylinders arranged in a single straight line
a straight 8-cylinder engine
f
: plumb, vertical
the picture isn't quite straight
3
a
: exhibiting honesty and fairness
straight dealing
b
: properly ordered or arranged
set the kitchen straight
set us straight on that issue
also : correct
get the facts straight
c
: free from extraneous matter : unmixed
straight whiskey
d
: marked by no exceptions or deviations in support of a principle or party
votes a straight Democratic ticket
e
: having a fixed price for each regardless of the number sold
f
: not deviating from an indicated pattern
writes straight humor
a straight-A student
g(1)
: exhibiting no deviation from what is established or accepted as usual, normal, or proper : conventional
(2)
: not using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
h(1)
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between people of the opposite sex : heterosexual sense 1a
(2)
: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex : heterosexual sense 1b
4
: being the only form of remuneration
on straight commission
straightish adjective
straightly adverb
straightness noun

straight

2 of 4

adverb

: in a straight manner
came straight home from work

straight

3 of 4

verb

straighted; straighting; straights

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland

straight

4 of 4

noun

1
: something that is straight: such as
a
: a straight line or arrangement
b
: straightaway
especially : homestretch
c
: a true or honest report or course
2
a
: a sequence (as of shots, strokes, or moves) resulting in a perfect score in a game or contest
b
: first place at the finish of a horse race : win
3
: a poker hand containing five cards in sequence but not of the same suit see poker illustration
4
: a person who adheres to conventional attitudes and mores

Did you know?

strait or straight?

Straight and strait are homophones (“one of two or more words pronounced alike but different in meaning or derivation or spelling”), and many people are in the habit of confusing such creatures, particularly when used in fixed phrases. If you express no emotion you have a straight face; an upright person is a straight shooter; a straight flush is “a poker hand containing five cards of the same suit in sequence.” However, if you find yourself in a difficult situation you are in dire straits. Straitjacket and straitlaced are the more commonly used forms for the restrictive garment and the “strict in manners” adjective, although straightjacket and straightlaced are also occasionally found.

Example Sentences

Adjective She has long, straight hair. The flagpole is perfectly straight. The picture isn't quite straight. We sat in the airport for five straight hours. Adverb She walked straight up to him and slapped him in the face. The tunnel goes straight through the mountain. The library is straight ahead. He was so drunk he couldn't walk straight. She sat with her legs straight out. The tree fell straight down. The car went straight off the road. She told him straight to his face that she hated him. Pine trees stood straight along the path. Sit up straight and don't slouch. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
This way, officials can better tell whether a ball was passed forward, over the try-line, or touched in flight and line, where it was found, and whether a line-out throw was straight. Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 17 May 2023 Smith's friend Pol' Atteu, who made many dresses for her, says Smith was not straight and not gay. Jason Sheeler, Peoplemag, 16 May 2023 Yorkville 28-1 (1) Foxes win third straight conference title but have bigger goals as top seed in sectional. Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2023 Northwestern has dominated, winning 18 straight games and outscoring opponents, 324-177. Kat Cornetta, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2023 There was Phoenix Mountain Pointe and ASU-signee Jayden Davis pouring it on in the boys 400 for the second straight week, breaking his one-week old state record in 46.25 seconds. Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 13 May 2023 Now both the boys and girls teams enter the Class 2A West Regional and states as the presumptive favorites, as both teams have their eyes set on hoisting a second straight state title. Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2023 The Lakers lead the series 3-2 and have won eight straight games in their downtown arena, including six since the end of the regular season. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 12 May 2023 The Lions finished 9-8 last season and missed the playoffs for the sixth straight year, but won eight of their final 10 games (including that season finale against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field) and will enter this fall as the favorites to win the NFC North. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 11 May 2023
Adverb
Once the chocolate chips melt into the banana, eat it straight out of the peel with a spoon. People Staff, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023 Zach Pascal has a message for anyone who thinks he’s gone from the penthouse of the NFC as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles straight to the conference outhouse as one of the newest members of the Arizona Cardinals. Bob Mcmanaman, The Arizona Republic, 23 May 2023 The rock appeared to have blasted straight through the roof before ricocheting off the floor and back up to the ceiling, leaving dents across the room. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 12 May 2023 That team opened 3-1 and lost two straight after the break, before finishing 12-4 and earning a wild-card spot. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2023 Her baby blue dolphin tank looked straight from our childhood wardrobes. Briannah Rivera, Seventeen, 10 May 2023 The Rangers play a three-game series at the Mariners starting Monday, then will play four straight at the Oakland Athletics starting Thursday. Shawn Mcfarland, Dallas News, 7 May 2023 In Wisconsin — which will also host the Republican Party’s 2024 convention, in Milwaukee — Mr. DeSantis will be walking straight into the heart of Trump country. Alexandra Glorioso, New York Times, 6 May 2023 In fact Johnson’s own kitchen island—a cantilevered stone monolith that could have been plucked straight out of OMA’s model shop—was featured front and center in our April 2022 issue. Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 5 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'straight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English streght, straight, from past participle of strecchen to stretch — more at stretch

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of straight was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near straight

Cite this Entry

“Straight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

straight

1 of 2 adjective
1
a
: free from curves, bends, angles, or unevenness
straight hair
straight timber
b
: formed by a point moving continuously in the same direction
a straight line
2
a
: holding to a proper course or method
a straight thinker
b
: frank, candid
a straight answer
3
: vertical sense 2, upright
the picture isn't quite straight
4
a
: exhibiting truth, fairness, and honesty : just
straight dealings
b
: correctly ordered or arranged
set the kitchen straight
also : correct
get the facts straight
c
: consecutive
five straight hours
d
: having nothing added
straight liquor
e
: making no exceptions in one's voting for a political party
voted a straight ticket
f
: not varying from a pattern
writes straight humor
h
: not using or under the influence of drugs
5
: being the only form of payment
on straight commission
straightness noun

straight

2 of 2 adverb
: in a straight manner, course, or line
came straight home from school

More from Merriam-Webster on straight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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