: relating to or being music performed in an unembellished manner typical of a given idiom or performer
broadly : straightforward

Examples of straight-ahead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba is very serious, without Idina Menzel’s deadpan humor, and Bailey’s Fiyero is played like a straight-ahead charmer, not a slyly fun slacker, and Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible is grounded instead of grand. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024 The images are often metaphorical vs. a straight-ahead depiction of what’s going on. William Earl, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024 Another break from the past was in terms of straight-ahead partisanship. Gary Langer, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2024 The projects that tend to do best are either straight-ahead rock or hard-to-categorize experimentalism: As examples, Rosalia’s Motomami took the prize in 2023, while Juanes and Natalia Lafourcade shared the award in an unexpected tie last year. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2024 For a straight-ahead scoop, take a look at my overall assessment in my Forbes column (see the link here). Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 The macula is responsible for sharp, detailed, straight-ahead vision. Sarah Hudgens, Health, 11 Sep. 2024 With his straight-ahead style, Dellandrea would seem to fit in with the no-nonsense identity that general manager Mike Grier is trying to build in San Jose. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 11 July 2024 Making his bones with straight-ahead Miles in the ’60s, Hancock ventured off into Headhunters funk, Future Shock electro and explorations beyond. Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of straight-ahead was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near straight-ahead

Cite this Entry

“Straight-ahead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight-ahead. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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