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 : heterosexual

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

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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 The Wolverines were 2-4 in Harbaugh’s sixth season, which ended with three straight games being canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the program. — Larry Lage, ajc, "'Work to be done": Harbaugh has new, 5-year deal at Michigan," 8 Jan. 2021 His 297 yards kept him just shy of tying the club record of three straight 300-yard games set by Josh McCown in 2015. — Joe Noga, cleveland, "Here’s how the Cleveland Browns reached the 2021 NFL Playoffs: Their journey week by week," 6 Jan. 2021 Pause at the top, and really squeeze your butt to ensure that your hip flexors are completely extended (your legs are straight), and your pelvis is stacked directly under your shoulders, with no arch in your low back. — Amy Eisinger, M.a., SELF, "How to Do a Deadlift Correctly," 4 Jan. 2021 The Bears have scored 30 or more points in four straight games for the first time since 1965. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Packers vs. Bears live stream (1/3): How to watch NFL Week 17 online, TV, time," 3 Jan. 2021 Sacramento visits Golden State on Monday before playing seven straight home games. — Kristie Rieken, Chron, "John Wall, Rockets beat Kings; James Harden sits with injury," 2 Jan. 2021 Bring the chin back so that the upper back is straight. — Stephanie Mansour, CNN, "Whether you have just 5, 10 or 15 minutes, these stress relief workouts can help," 22 Dec. 2020 His posture was straight, and his outfit was professional. — Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "An inside look at how Warriors plan to handle James Wiseman’s development," 21 Dec. 2020 Corden, who's straight, has caused controversy for his caricature of a gay showbiz vet who embraces the chance to make over a drab Midwestern teenager. — Chris Hewitt, Star Tribune, "'The Prom' musical sometimes drags but Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman have giddy fun," 10 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Over at Baxter High, this dorky band called the Stone Philosphers shows up to Fright Club’s practice in Buddy Holly glasses and hairstyles straight out of the 1960s because this show is set in the present day. — Jessica Goldstein, Vulture, "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Recap: Dreams (and Nightmares) From My Father," 1 Jan. 2021 Keep your hands straight out to the side or on your stomach. — Stephanie Mansour, CNN, "Reduce fatigue with this easy yoga routine," 29 Dec. 2020 Lars must solve the case with his new partner, Alfhildr (Krista Kosonen), the first Viking beforeigner to join the police force straight out of the academy. — Ars Staff, Ars Technica, "TV Technica 2020: Our favorite shows and binges in a year of living distantly," 26 Dec. 2020 Before March, a cruise ship worker in a hazmat suit would’ve seemed straight out of a high-seas horror movie. — Davide Bertuccio, Travel, "Why cruise ships are setting sail again as COVID-19 rages," 25 Dec. 2020 This stuff is straight out of a psychology textbook: Dr. Marston’s psychology textbook. — Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, "Does “Wonder Woman 1984” Hide Its Hero’s True Superpowers?," 25 Dec. 2020 The first came straight out of the desert and descended on Benghazi like a cloak of hot gritty doom. — Richard Mason, Arkansas Online, "OPINION | RICHARD MASON: It's hard to love a howling wind," 21 Dec. 2020 The two have an epic showdown straight out of Mission Impossible in the elevator of Cassie's hotel. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "The Flight Attendant’s Shocking Finale: All Your Questions Answered," 17 Dec. 2020 The decision to go for two after cutting a 14-point lead to six was straight out of the analytics textbook. — Dan Labbe, cleveland, "Browns’ loss to Ravens shouldn’t dampen performance that showed they belong on the big stage," 15 Dec. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

13 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Straight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight. Accessed 20 Jan. 2021.

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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 3 of 3)

: a straight part of a racecourse

: 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)

See the full definition for straight in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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

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.

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