straightaway

1 of 3

adverb

straight·​away ˌstrāt-ə-ˈwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio)
: without hesitation or delay

straightaway

2 of 3

adjective

straight·​away ˈstrāt-ə-ˌwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio)
1
: proceeding in a straight line : continuous in direction
2

straightaway

3 of 3

noun

straight·​away ˈstrā-tə-ˌwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio)
: a straight course: such as
a
: the straight part of a closed racecourse : stretch
b
: a straight and unimpeded stretch of road or way

Examples of straightaway in a Sentence

Adverb He found the information straightaway. he got to the hospital, and straightaway he was admitted and given intravenous fluids Adjective her first novel was a straightaway success the doomed ship was headed on a straightaway course in the path of the iceberg
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.
Adverb
Having a low-lift digital service or offer is a great way to reduce your expenses, start straightaway, gain traction quickly, and test the waters before committing to developing a product. Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 Over breakfast on the day after the announcement was made, Venetia’s grandfather was reading the account of the new planet aloud from the paper and the young girl straightaway recommended the name Pluto, the ruler of the underworld. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The second was a homer to straightaway center in Miami off Marlins righty Calvin Faucher, off a 2-2 fastball on the outer edge to complete a nine-pitch at-bat. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 15 May 2025 Barron projects as a slot corner at the next level due to his frame and straightaway speed concerns. Kambui Bomani, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
Such a significant reduction in lap time is due primarily to acceleration out of corners, leaping from 60 or 70 mph to 150 mph in mere moments, shrinking those straightaways. Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 Hours after the firefighters completely contained the nearby South Miami-Dade brush fire, smoke enveloped Homestead-Miami Speedway’s front straightaway. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for straightaway

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

circa 1534, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of straightaway was circa 1534

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Straightaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straightaway. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

straightaway

1 of 3 adjective
straight·​away ˈstrāt-ə-ˌwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio)
1
: proceeding in a straight line : continuous in direction : straightforward
2
: immediate sense 4
made a straightaway reply

straightaway

2 of 3 noun
: the straight part of a racetrack : stretch

straightaway

3 of 3 adverb
straight·​away ˌstrāt-ə-ˈwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio)
: without delay : immediately
found an answer straightaway

More from Merriam-Webster on straightaway

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