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
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
3
a
: exhibiting honesty and fairness
straight dealing
b
: properly ordered or arranged
set the kitchen straight
set us straight on that issue
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
also
: square sense 5f
(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
: in a straight manner
came straight home from work
straighted; straighting; straights
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.
Examples of straight in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Alderton, USA Today, 7 June 2025
That tally was also his 10th of the postseason, marking the third straight year he’s reached that mark.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
The setbacks do not cut straight across but curl upward, not unlike the façade treatment of the building a dozen blocks to the south called the Spiral.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for straight
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Despite an influx of straight tourists, Key West remains an LGBTQ+ haven.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 7 June 2025
That tally was also his 10th of the postseason, marking the third straight year he’s reached that mark.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Adverb
Point Loma has won five consecutive home games, while Legacy has won five straight on the road.
—Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
The setbacks do not cut straight across but curl upward, not unlike the façade treatment of the building a dozen blocks to the south called the Spiral.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for straight
Cite this Entry
“Straight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
straight
1 of 2 adjective1
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
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
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
g
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
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