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straight

straight

386 1.0
In a direct line without curves or bends
  • adjective
  • /streɪt/
: recto
  • She used a ruler to draw a straight line on the paper.
  • a straight line
  • draw a straight line
  • straight hair

The tangent to the curve is is straight across, right?

Examples

  • There is a clear, fairly straight path ahead.

  • OK, OK, OK, so sit up straight shoulders, relax.

  • So we get a nice straight edge, Yeah.

  • Line up in a straight line here.

  • Those edges are way more straight now, which is good.

  • We're just in this long, flat, straight, shaded forest.

  • Her hair fell nearly to her waist; it was straight, blonde, and studded with flowers.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The avenue begins at Stonehenge with a straight section aligned with the site's solar axis.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Paul's girlfriend had an enviable set of straight bangs to go with her straight long hair.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • FitzGilbert nodded perfunctorily and strode off, her long straight coat snapping behind her like a flag.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

rectilinear
vsstraight
1 8.9

A shape or movement that has straight lines rather than curves

applies more generally to objects, posture, and alignment not only geometric lines
unbent
vsstraight
1 4.6

Straight in shape or standing with a straight back

applies more widely to lines, objects, and positions beyond just posture
lineal
vsstraight
1 7.5

Arranged in a straight line

is broader, covering direct positions and angles beyond single-line arrangements
unbowed
vsstraight
1 6.7

Not bent and staying upright in body or spirit

applies mainly to physical alignment and shapes, not chiefly to spirit
rectilineal
vsstraight
9.8

Made of straight lines or moving in straight lines

is used more broadly for objects and posture, not only line shapes

Antonyms

86 2.5

Not straight in shape, like a path or a smile

71 1.0

Hair that forms many small round waves

68 1.0

Not straight in shape because it was pushed or folded

50 1.0

A shape or surface that bends smoothly without sharp angles

Idioms

Give the true facts to fix a wrong idea

23 9.9

To say yes very strongly, often in informal speech

16 6.4

An honest, moral, and disciplined way of living

14 3.0

Immediately without delay

straight up
  • Jargon
8 7.6

A drink that is shaken or stirred with ice but served without ice

To speak directly about the main idea without extra details

To decide what is most important to do

Directly from the person who knows the facts

1 6.9

A person who has good judgment and common sense

To not be able to think clearly because you are very tired, angry, or confused

To keep your face looking serious and not show you are laughing

Looks exactly like the kind of person chosen to play a role in a film or show

In a direct and honest way without hiding feelings or opinions

Focus immediately on the most important information without extra details

1 8.9

Right from the start

To follow a steady plan and not get distracted

To calm your mind and think clearly

Compounds

83 1.0

A line that does not curve and keeps the same direction

37 3.9

A face that shows no feeling, often to avoid laughing

29 6.1

Completely direct with no doubt or excuse

A person who is attracted to people of the opposite sex

straight arrow
  • Informal
13 5.9

A person who always tells the truth and follows moral rules

straight shooter
  • Informal
13 3.7

A person who tells the truth in a direct, honest way

9 7.5

A performer who plays a serious role in a comedy to make the other person's jokes funnier

A razor with a long straight blade that folds into its handle for shaving

7 5.8

Five cards in a row all of the same suit

4 6.1

Choosing all candidates from the same party on a ballot

A seat with a straight back and no arms

1 2.6

A thin piece of metal with a sharp end that holds cloth or paper

Having legs that are straight, not bent or curved

straight angle
  • Specialized
1 3.5

An angle of 180 degrees that forms a straight line

1 6.3

Someone who speaks clearly and honestly without hiding things

1 8.0

A woman who plays the serious partner in a comedy duo and gives lines to the funny performer

straight-arm
  • Specialized
1 7.0

In American football, pushing a defender away by holding the arm straight

1 5.8

A poker game where each player gets five face down cards and cannot take any new ones

1 7.9

A check to see if you can keep a serious face when something is funny

straight thrust
  • Specialized
1 8.7

An attack in fencing where you lunge forward, keeping your back leg straight and your sword arm outstretched

straight-line method
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A way to spread an asset's cost equally over its useful life

A long straight line in soil made for planting seeds

straight chain
  • Specialized
1 5.5

Atoms in a molecule form a single row with no branches

straight-billed
  • Specialized
1 7.1

A bird with a beak that is straight, not curved

straight arch
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A structure with a straight horizontal top made of stones cut like wedges that support each other

straight sinus
  • Specialized
1 9.0

A large vein in the outer covering of the brain that carries blood from deep brain veins

straight flute
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A drill bit with straight grooves along its length that remove small rock pieces

straight fairlead
  • Specialized
8.4

A part that guides an anchor rope in a straight path on a ship

straight hang
  • Jargon
8.2

A position on rings or parallel bars with the body straight and arms at the sides

6.0

A life insurance plan with the same yearly payment you make that covers you for your whole life

straight-fluted drill
  • Specialized
7.3

A tool with straight grooves that help remove dust and chips while making holes in hard rock or masonry

Direct and honest in speech that does not hide what you think

A way of charging the same cost each year for an asset that loses value

To be direct and blunt when saying the truth

How Straight

linear
64 4.4
straight
386 1.0
curved
50 1.0
bent
68 1.0
crooked
86 2.5

Surface Forms

straight positive
straighter comparative
straightest superlative

Etymology

Straight comes from an old English idea of being 'stretched out' and is related to the common word stretch, so something straight is like a stretched line and not bent.