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¹straight

adjective \ˈstrāt\

: not having curves, bends, or angles

: vertical or level

: following one after the other in order : following each other without interruption

Full Definition of STRAIGHT

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>

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>

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; also : square 5f (2) : not using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol

h : heterosexual

: being the only form of remuneration <on straight commission>

— straight·ish \ˈstrā-tish\ adjective

— straight·ly adverb

— straight·ness noun

See straight defined for English-language learners

See straight defined for kids

Origin of STRAIGHT

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to STRAIGHT

Synonyms: direct, linear, right, straightaway, straightforward

Antonyms: bad, black, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, wicked, wrong

Rhymes with STRAIGHT

ait, bait, bate, blate, cate, crate, date, eight, fate, fete, freight, gait, gate, grate, great, haet, hate, late, mate, pate, plait, plate, prate, quoit, rate, sate, skate, slate, spate, state, strait, teth, trait, wait, weight

²straight

adverb

: in a straight or direct way

: in or into a vertical position

: without any delay : directly or immediately

Full Definition of STRAIGHT

: in a straight manner <came straight home from work>

See straight defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of STRAIGHT

14th century

Related to STRAIGHT

Synonyms: dead, direct, due, plumb, plump, right, directly, straightway

Antonyms: indirectly

³straight

transitive verb

Definition of STRAIGHT

chiefly Scottish

: straighten

First Known Use of STRAIGHT

15th century

⁴straight

noun

: a straight part of a racecourse

: 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)

Full Definition of STRAIGHT

: something that is straight: as

a : a straight line or arrangement

b : straightaway; especially : homestretch

c : a true or honest report or course

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

: a poker hand containing five cards in sequence but not of the same suit — see poker illustration

: a person who adheres to conventional attitudes and mores

See straight defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of STRAIGHT

1645

STRAIGHT Defined for Kids

¹straight

adjective \ˈstrāt\

straight·erstraight·est

Definition of STRAIGHT for Kids

: following the same direction throughout its length : not having curves, bends, or angles <a straight line>

: being perfectly vertical or horizontal <Does the flagpole look straight?>

: following one after the other in order <We worked for five straight hours.>

: not changing from an indicated pattern <I got straight A's on my report card.>

: not straying from what is right or honest <a straight answer>

: correctly ordered or arranged <We set the kitchen straight.>

: ²correct 1 <Let's get the facts straight.>

: not showing any feeling especially of amusement <a straight face>

— straight·ness noun

²straight

adverb

Definition of STRAIGHT for Kids

: without delay or hesitation <I came straight home.>

: in a direct and uninterrupted course : without turning or curving aside <The library is straight ahead.> <Skye looked into the closet and straight through into another bedroom … — Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks>

: in or into an upright position <stand straight>

: without interruption <They have been working for three days straight.>

: in a normal or correct way <I can't think straight.>