straight face

noun

: a face giving no evidence of emotion and especially of merriment

lied with a straight face

straight-faced

ˈstrāt-ˈfāst 

adjective

straight-facedly

ˈstrāt-ˈfā-səd-lē 

-ˈfāst-lē

adverb

Examples of straight face in a Sentence

She lied with a straight face.

The students quickly put on straight faces as the teacher walked into the room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile the authentic thread can now be denied with a straight face, the workplace edition of the liar’s dividend, where real recordings get waved off as AI. — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Then, the first rule is not to join in the laughter, but to keep a perfectly straight face. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026

Others explain, with a straight face, that such ambition is simply not possible. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026

But for those not tasked with maintaining a straight face, the sketch is another indelible one for Ferrell. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for straight face

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase

Kids Definition

straight face

noun

: a face giving no evidence of feeling and especially of amusement

straight-faced

ˈstrāt-ˈfāst

adjective