straight man

noun

: a member of a comedy team who feeds lines to a partner who in turn replies with usually humorous quips

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of straight man was in 1877

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Straight man.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight%20man. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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