straight

1 of 4

adjective

1
a
: free from curves, bends, angles, or irregularities
straight hair
straight timber
b
: generated by a point moving continuously in the same direction and expressed by a linear equation
a straight line
the straight segment of a curve
2
a
: lying along or holding to a direct or proper course or method
a straight thinker
b
: candid, frank
a straight answer
c
: coming directly from a trustworthy source
a straight tip on the horses
d(1)
: having the elements in an order
the straight sequence of events
(2)
: consecutive
12 straight days
e
: having the cylinders arranged in a single straight line
a straight 8-cylinder engine
f
: plumb, vertical
the picture isn't quite straight
3
a
: exhibiting honesty and fairness
straight dealing
b
: properly ordered or arranged
set the kitchen straight
set us straight on that issue
also : correct
get the facts straight
c
: free from extraneous matter : unmixed
straight whiskey
d
: marked by no exceptions or deviations in support of a principle or party
votes a straight Democratic ticket
e
: having a fixed price for each regardless of the number sold
f
: not deviating from an indicated pattern
writes straight humor
a straight-A student
g(1)
: exhibiting no deviation from what is established or accepted as usual, normal, or proper : conventional
(2)
: not using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
h(1)
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between people of the opposite sex : heterosexual sense 1a
(2)
: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex : heterosexual sense 1b
4
: being the only form of remuneration
on straight commission
straightish adjective
straightly adverb
straightness noun

straight

2 of 4

adverb

: in a straight manner
came straight home from work

straight

3 of 4

verb

straighted; straighting; straights

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland

straight

4 of 4

noun

1
: something that is straight: such as
a
: a straight line or arrangement
b
: straightaway
especially : homestretch
c
: a true or honest report or course
2
a
: a sequence (as of shots, strokes, or moves) resulting in a perfect score in a game or contest
b
: first place at the finish of a horse race : win
3
: a poker hand containing five cards in sequence but not of the same suit see poker illustration
4
: a person who adheres to conventional attitudes and mores

Did you know?

strait or straight?

Straight and strait are homophones (“one of two or more words pronounced alike but different in meaning or derivation or spelling”), and many people are in the habit of confusing such creatures, particularly when used in fixed phrases. If you express no emotion you have a straight face; an upright person is a straight shooter; a straight flush is “a poker hand containing five cards of the same suit in sequence.” However, if you find yourself in a difficult situation you are in dire straits. Straitjacket and straitlaced are the more commonly used forms for the restrictive garment and the “strict in manners” adjective, although straightjacket and straightlaced are also occasionally found.

Examples of straight in a Sentence

Adjective She has long, straight hair. The flagpole is perfectly straight. The picture isn't quite straight. We sat in the airport for five straight hours. Adverb She walked straight up to him and slapped him in the face. The tunnel goes straight through the mountain. The library is straight ahead. 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. Pine trees stood straight along the path. Sit up straight and don't slouch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Even with Herro and Richardson out, Wright did not play in two straight games leading up to Thursday’s contest in Dallas despite being active and available. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Unlike other armchairs that feature straighter silhouettes, the angles on this chair turn it into a statement piece. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024 Ohtani had reached base in seven straight plate appearances before striking out swinging on a 95-mph fastball from Angels right-hander Chase Silseth in the first inning and looking at a 94-mph fastball for strike three against left-hander Tyler Thomas in the third. Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Los Angeles will be engaging in A Day of Unreasonable Conversation for a fourth straight year, via a lineup packed with both stars and top political figures. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley is the lone Republican who stands in the way of former President Donald Trump’s third straight nomination for the party. Kevin Keister, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2024 Still, San Jose, which has now lost six straight games, failed to capitalize on a power play in overtime after Miro Heiskanen was called for interference. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 His opponent, Senator Caleb Boggs, had won seven straight elections, but Biden saw a path for himself—playing up his youth, showing off his handsome family, flattering Boggs with patronizing grace. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 This was her second straight year in San Diego tourney, having lost in second round last time. Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024
Adverb
Despite the nightmarish opening, the action then moves to the titular department inside a Midwest post office, with a set that looks pulled straight from the ’80s. William Earl, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 Get the Robb Report newsletter for similar stories delivered straight to your inbox. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 March 8 Shop Allure Stay up to date on must-buy makeup, hair care, skin care, and more, plus reviews for award-winning products straight from Allure's editors. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 8 Mar. 2024 In the closet of the celeb who wore it, perhaps, or maybe straight into the safe haven of the designer’s archive. Mark Holgate, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2024 But those Lavender Haze cocktails weren’t shaken or stirred — they were poured straight from a keg, no differently than a beer would be. Kate Bernot, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Olea, 38, remained stoic, looking straight ahead, as the audio played to an otherwise silent courtroom, filled with news media and relatives of the defendant. Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Every restaurant disperses the money differently; some funnel it straight into employee pay, while others split it between staff and management. Priya Krishna, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 But, the wide-leg pants and relaxed fit of the sweatshirt look straight out of the Gen Z influencer playbook. Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'straight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English streght, straight, from past participle of strecchen to stretch — more at stretch

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of straight was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near straight

Cite this Entry

“Straight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

straight

1 of 2 adjective
1
a
: free from curves, bends, angles, or unevenness
straight hair
straight timber
b
: formed by a point moving continuously in the same direction
a straight line
2
a
: holding to a proper course or method
a straight thinker
b
: frank, candid
a straight answer
3
: vertical sense 2, upright
the picture isn't quite straight
4
a
: exhibiting truth, fairness, and honesty : just
straight dealings
b
: correctly ordered or arranged
set the kitchen straight
also : correct
get the facts straight
c
: consecutive
five straight hours
d
: having nothing added
straight liquor
e
: making no exceptions in one's voting for a political party
voted a straight ticket
f
: not varying from a pattern
writes straight humor
h
: not using or under the influence of drugs
5
: being the only form of payment
on straight commission
straightness noun

straight

2 of 2 adverb
: in a straight manner, course, or line
came straight home from school

More from Merriam-Webster on straight

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