Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » straight

straight

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of straight is something that is in order, not curly or wavy or is slang for heterosexual or not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

(adjective)

An example of something that would be described as straight is a room that has just been cleaned where everything is in its place.
An example of something that would be described as straight is a road without any twists or turns.
An example of something that would be described as straight is a person's hair with no curls.

See straight in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

having the same direction throughout its length; having no curvature or angularity: a straight line
not crooked, bent, bowed, wavy, curly, etc.: straight hair
upright; erect: straight posture
level; even: a straight hemline
with all cylinders in a direct line; in-line: said of some internal-combustion engines
direct; undeviating, uninterrupted, etc.: to hold a straight course
☆ following strictly the principles, slate of candidates, etc. of a political party
following a direct or systematic course of reasoning, etc.; methodical; accurate
in order; properly arranged, etc.: to put a room straight
1. honest; sincere; upright
2. reliable; factual: straight information
outspoken; frank
☆
1. without anything added or mixed in; undiluted: a straight shot of whiskey
2. not blended with neutral grain spirits
not qualified, modified, slanted, etc.: a straight denial
☆ at a fixed price per unit regardless of the quantity bought or sold: apples at ten cents straight
☆ Slang
1. normal or conventional, as in one's lifestyle; also, square ()
2. heterosexual
3. not using drugs, alcohol, etc.

Origin: ME streght, pp. of strecchen, to stretch

adverb

in a straight line or direction; unswervingly
upright; erectly
1. without detour, delay, etc.: go straight to bed
2. without equivocation, circumlocution, etc.; directly: tell it straight
3. without alteration, addition, etc.: play the role straight
in an honest, law-abiding manner: go straight

noun

the quality or condition of being straight
something straight; specif.,
1. the straight part of a racetrack between the last turn and the winning post
2. ☆ Poker a hand consisting of any five cards in sequence: it ranks just above three of a kind and below a flush
Slang
1. a straight, or conventional, person
2. a heterosexual

Related Forms:

straightly adverb
straightness noun

See straight in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective straight·er, straight·est

Extending continuously in the same direction without curving: a straight line.
Having no waves or bends: straight hair.
a. Not bent or bowed; rigid or erect: a straight, strong back.
b. Sports Of or relating to a midair position in diving or gymnastics in which the body is held rigid without bending at the hips or knees.
Perfectly horizontal or vertical; level or even: The mirror isn't straight.
a. Direct and candid: a straight answer.
b. Following a direct or correct method or approach; systematic: straight reasoning.
c. Coming from a reliable source; factual: a straight tip; straight information.
a. Showing or marked by honesty or fair-mindedness: straight business dealings.
b. Right; correct: made sure the facts were straight in the report.
Neatly arranged; orderly: The room is straight again.
a. Uninterrupted; consecutive: sick for five straight days; their fourth straight victory.
b. Having the parts or details in correct sequence.
c. Games Constituting a straight in poker.
Characterized by undeviating support, as of a principle or a political party: always votes a straight party line; a straight Democrat.
a. Not deviating from what is considered socially normal, usual, or acceptable; conventional.
b. Conventional to an extreme degree.
Heterosexual.
Slang Not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
a. Not deviating from the normal or strict form: straight Freudian analysis.
b. Not altered, embellished, or modified: does straight comedy.
a. Concerned with serious or important matters: a straight drama without comedy or music.
b. Of or relating to a straight man.
Not mixed with anything else; undiluted: straight bourbon.
Sold without discount regardless of the amount purchased.

adverb

In a straight line; directly.
In an erect posture; upright.
Sports In the straight position, as in diving.
Without detour or delay: went straight home.
Without circumlocution; candidly: I'll say it to you straight: you're wrong.
In a neat and orderly condition: put the living room straight.
In an honest, law-abiding, or virtuous manner: lives straight.
Without stopping; continuously: walked six hours straight.
Without embellishment or modification: tell the joke straight.
Without ice, water, or a mixer: drink whiskey straight.

noun

a. The straight part, as of a road: “The car darted forward on to the straight” (Kingsley Amis).
b. The straight part of a racecourse between the winning post and the last turn.
A straight line.
A straight form or position.
Games A poker hand containing five cards of various suits in numerical sequence, ranked above three of a kind and below a flush.
A conventional person, especially one considered a member of established society.
A heterosexual person.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from past participle of strecchen, to stretch; see stretch

Related Forms: