straight

adjective

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\ ˈstrāt

Definition of straight

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : 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

2a : 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

3a : 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 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

straight

adverb

Definition of straight (Entry 2 of 4)

: in a straight manner came straight home from work

straight

verb

straighted; straighting; straights

Definition of straight (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland

: straighten

straight

noun

Definition of straight (Entry 4 of 4)

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

2a : 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

Other Words from straight Synonyms & Antonyms strait or straight? More Example Sentences Learn More About straight

Synonyms & Antonyms for straight

Synonyms: Adjective

Synonyms: Adverb

Antonyms: Adverb

indirectly

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: Adjective Caris LeVert remains in the league's health and safety protocols and missed his fifth straight game, more of those shots came Craig's way Monday. — James Boyd, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Jan. 2022 Brady breaks Joe Montana’s record with 46 postseason TD passes and the Patriots reaches their fourth straight AFC championship game. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2022 The Bills won their fourth straight game and won consecutive division titles for the first time since a four-year run spanning 1988-91. — John Wawrow, ajc, 10 Jan. 2022 Embiid turned in his seventh straight 30-point game and also had six assists. — San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Jan. 2022 Josh Pickett and Kenyon Weekley each had nine points as starter Isaiah Siler missed his third straight game due to illness. — Rick Armstrong, chicagotribune.com, 10 Jan. 2022 Texas junior Tre Mitchell is expected to miss his second straight game while in COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Beard said Monday. — Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Jan. 2022 Josh Thomas came off the bench to lead UWM (5-11, 3-4) in scoring for the second straight game, finishing with 17 points. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2022 Rookie wideout Rondale Moore is out for the third straight game from his ankle injury. — Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 9 Jan. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb There are images of parades and outdoor gatherings from more than a century ago, and a 1930s scene straight out of Mayberry depicting Steger’s smiling police chief, two village barbers and a youngster clad in overalls. — Paul Eisenberg, chicagotribune.com, 9 Jan. 2022 Delia Ephron is aware that her story sounds like it’s straight out of a movie. — Annabel Gutterman, Time, 6 Jan. 2022 The result was a game straight out of January 2021 — in more ways than one. With Fred VanVleet going for 33 points to lead the Raptors, the Spurs struggled from start to finish, never climbing within single digits in the second half. — Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Jan. 2022 The chassis has plenty of ventilation holes, and the fans wouldn’t have an issue pushing air straight out of the case. — Michael Sexton, PCMAG, 4 Jan. 2022 The performance is a large-hearted giving of thanks, with greasy tenor-sax fills straight out of a Texas roadhouse. — Colin Fleming, WSJ, 29 Dec. 2021 The kitchen features stainless steel appliances and a sub-zero refrigerator, and a glass wall looks straight out to the yard. — Natasha Dado, PEOPLE.com, 28 Dec. 2021 The idea that his entire argument feels straight out of 2009, and the idea that women can only look a certain way or must be presented completely covered up in games feels pretty dated at this point, even for most ultra-liberals. — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021 Stand with your feet hip-width apart and extend your arms straight out in front of you. — Stephanie Mansour, CNN, 27 Dec. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'straight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of straight

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

Learn More About straight

Dictionary Entries Near straight

stragulum

straight

straight A

Statistics for straight

Last Updated

13 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Straight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight. Accessed 17 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for straight

straight

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of straight

(Entry 1 of 3)

: not having curves, bends, or angles

: vertical or level

: following one after the other in order : following each other without interruption

straight

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of straight (Entry 2 of 3)

: in a straight or direct way

: in or into a vertical position

: without any delay : directly or immediately

straight

noun

English Language Learners Definition of straight (Entry 4 of 3)

: heterosexual

: a straight part of a racecourse : straightaway

: a hand of playing cards in poker that contains five cards in sequence (such as a five, a six, a seven, an eight, and a nine)

straight

adjective

\ ˈstrāt

straighter; straightest

Kids Definition of straight

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : following the same direction throughout its length : not having curves, bends, or angles a straight line

2 : being perfectly vertical or horizontal Does the flagpole look straight?

3 : following one after the other in order We worked for five straight hours.

4 : not changing from an indicated pattern I got straight A's on my report card.

5 : not straying from what is right or honest a straight answer

6 : correctly ordered or arranged We set the kitchen straight.

7 : correct entry 2 sense 1 Let's get the facts straight.

8 : not showing any feeling especially of amusement a straight face

straight

adverb

Kids Definition of straight (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : without delay or hesitation I came straight home.

2 : in a direct and uninterrupted course : without turning or curving aside The library is straight ahead. Skye looked into the closet and straight through into another bedroom …— Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

3 : in or into an upright position stand straight

4 : without interruption They have been working for three days straight.

5 : in a normal or correct way I can't think straight.