Search results for 'straight':

straight adj (straighter, straightest) 1 not curved, bent, curly or wavy, etc • straight hair. 2 without deviations or detours; direct • a straight road. 3 level; horizontal; not sloping, leaning, or twisted • Is the picture straight? • a straight posture. 4 frank; open; direct • a straight answer. 5 respectable; legitimate; not dishonest, disreputable, or criminal • a straight deal. 6 neat; tidy; in good order. 7 successive; in a row • won three straight sets. 8 said of a drink, especially alcoholic: undiluted; neat • straight brandy. 9 having all debts and favours paid back • If you pay for the petrol, that'll make us straight. 10 not comic; serious. 11 colloq conventional in tastes and opinions. 12 colloq heterosexual. 13 slang a not under the influence of drugs, alcohol, etc; b not in the habit of being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, etc. adverb 1 in or into a level, upright, etc position or posture • Is the picture hung straight? 2 following an undeviating course; directly • went straight home • looked her straight in the eye. 3 immediately • I'll come round straight after work. 4 honestly; frankly • told him straight that it was over. 5 seriously • played the part straight. noun 1 a straight line or part, eg of a race track • doing 150mph down the straight. 2 a someone who is conventional in their tastes and opinions; b colloq someone who is not in the habit of being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, etc. 3 colloq a heterosexual person. 4 poker a a running sequence of five cards, irrespective of suit; b a hand of this kind. Compare flush³.straightish adj. straightly adverb. straightness noun. get or go straight to the point to discuss the important topic without any digressions. go straight colloq to stop taking part in criminal activities and live an honest life. keep a straight face to hold back from laughing. put someone straight to let them know the way things really stand. straight away immediately. straight off without thinking, researching, etc • couldn't say straight off. straight out without any equivocation; bluntly • asked her straight out if she was seeing someone else. straight talking colloq conversation that is to the point and without any hidden agenda. straight-talking colloq characterized by a lack of guile • a straight-talking guy. straight up colloq honestly; really. the straight and narrow the honest, respectable, sober, etc way of life or behaving.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon streht, from streccan to stretch.