straighter; straightest
1
: not having curves, bends, or angles
a straight line/edge
She has long, straight hair.
Keep your back straight.
2
: vertical or level
The flagpole is perfectly straight.
The picture isn't quite straight.
3
always used before a noun
: following one after the other in order
He has won three straight [=consecutive] tournaments.
: following each other without interruption
We sat in the airport for five straight hours.
4
: honest and direct
They wouldn't give me a straight answer.
He's known for his straight dealing.
They're not being straight with you.
What we want is some straight talk.
5
always used before a noun
a
: including only two people or things
It was a straight choice: accept the offer or don't.
a straight exchange/swap
b
: not including any things or parts of a different kind
a straight romance novel
The band plays straight blues.
(US) He always votes a straight Democratic ticket. [=he always votes for Democratic candidates]
(US) She got straight A's in all her classes last year. [=she got an A in every class]
(US) a straight-A student
6
not used before a noun
: with everything in its proper place
After supper, the kids helped set/put the kitchen straight. [=tidy up the kitchen]
7
not used before a noun
: agreeing with what is true or what is stated to be true
We have to have our stories straight or else the police will get suspicious.
Let me get this straight [=I am surprised/confused by what you are saying and I want to be sure that I understand you correctly]: You want me to lend you $2,000?
You need to get your facts straight. [=you need to get your facts correct]
He set/put her straight about/on what happened. [=he corrected her and explained to her what actually happened]
8
not used before a noun informal
: having nothing owed by either side
You pay for my ticket, and I'll consider us straight. [=even]
9
: behaving in a way that is socially correct and acceptable
(disapproving) She's too straight [=conventional] and needs to lighten up.
(informal) He left the gang and promised himself that he would go straight. [=stop being a criminal]
10
informal
: heterosexual
He's gay but he has a lot of straight friends.
11
: not using drugs or alcohol
She has been straight for two years now.
12
US, of alcoholic drinks
: not mixed with anything : without ice or water added
I like my bourbon/whiskey straight. [=neat]
I'll have a martini straight up.
13
: not joking or funny : serious
a straight actor
straight theatrical drama
1
: in a straight or direct way
She looked him straight [=right, directly] in the eye and told him to leave.
She walked straight up to him and slapped him in the face.
The tunnel goes straight through the mountain.
The library is straight ahead.
This road will take you straight [=directly] to the next town.
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.
2
: in or into a vertical position
Pine trees stood straight along the path.
Sit up straight and don't slouch.
3
a
: without any delay : directly or immediately
She came straight [=right] home from school.
The company hires many people straight [=right] out of college.
He went straight to bed when he came home.
Let me get/come straight to the point: I think we should break up.
b
: without interruption
The rescue crew has been working for three days straight.
The baby slept straight through the night.
Since no one objected to her plan, she went straight on to talk about how to begin.
4
: in an honest and direct way
Tell me straight: did you do it or didn't you?
Are you dealing/playing straight with me? [=are you being honest with me?]
(informal) Straight up, what did you really pay for the tickets?
5
: in the usual, normal, or correct way
She was so drunk she couldn't see straight.
Can you please be quiet? I can't think straight.
plural straights
1
informal
: heterosexual
—usually plural
gays and straights
2
: a straight part of a racecourse : straightaway
—usually singular
He overtook them on the straight.
3
: 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)
Cite this Entry
“Straight.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/straight. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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