I. ˈstrāt, usu -ād.+V adverb
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English streght, streit, from past participle of strecchen to stretch
: without deviation, delay, or other interruption: as
a. : in a manner involving no hesitation or delay : straightway , immediately
come straight home
b. : in a direct and uninterrupted course : without curving or turning aside : directly
the arrow flew straight to the mark
the road ran straight for several miles
also : so as to penetrate usually without deviation from course
bored a hole straight through the wall
the tunnel goes straight through the mountain
c. : with the body erect : upright
sentinel pines stood straight along the crest
d. : in an honest or honorable manner
a man willing to run straight should make a success of this business
swore to go straight if he got out of the mess
e. : without hesitation or equivocation : straightforwardly , openly
straight denied the charge
told him straight we'd stand for no more loafing and neglect
II. adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English streght, streit, straight, from past participle of strecchen to stretch
1.
a. : free from curves, bends, or angles : having no irregularities in course
straight hair
fine straight timber
an unusually straight stream
b. : of, relating to, or constituting a one-dimensional continuum that is determined throughout its length by any two points included in it : taking a course like that of a taut uninterrupted cord made fast at opposite ends : progressing or projected in an unvarying direction
2. : direct , uninterrupted : as
a.
(1) : leading or passing directly from one point to another
sought a straighter way from his home to the office
(2) : holding to a direct or proper course or method : proceeding directly and without disorder or confusion
straight reasoning
a straight thinker
b. : candid , frank , straightforward
a straight speech
a straight answer to the charge
c. : coming directly from a trustworthy source
a straight tip on the horses
d. : composed of elements arranged in some logical order (as of descending values)
following the straight sequence of events
e. : having the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine arranged in a single straight line
f. of type matter : set in ordinary paragraphs of uniform width and without display lines, tabular matter, varied typefaces, or other features that tend to slow production
3. chiefly Scotland , of a mountain : steep
4.
a. : exhibiting no deviation from the vertical or horizontal : not leaning, bending, or inclining
the picture is not quite straight
b. of a cricket bat : held with blade at right angles to the ground
5. : exhibiting no deviation from what is established or accepted as usual, normal, or proper: as
a. : conforming to justice and rectitude : exhibiting truth, fairness, and honesty : upright , fair , virtuous
a straight man of business
known for his straight dealing
b. : properly ordered or arranged : free from irregularity or confusion : correctly kept : correct , neat
in the general confusion, this room alone was straight
his accounts were found to be straight
set the kitchen straight
c. : free from extraneous matter : unmixed , undiluted , unmodified
played a straight old rule game
writes straight humor
d. : making no exceptions or deviations in one's support of something accepted as right (as a principle, policy, party)
a straight Republican
also : cast for all the regular candidates of a party
a straight ballot
e. : having a fixed price for each regardless of the number sold
cigars 10 cents straight
f.
(1) : not deviating from the general norm of human personality — used of dramatic representation or performers
a straight part
an excellent straight actor
(2) of music : played or to be played as written usually without improvisation or syncopation
g. : straight-time
6. : severe , rigid , stern , rigorous
7. of a credit obligation
a. : made without special security or endorsement
b. : repayable in full on a specified maturity date
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English streghten (Scots strauchten ), from streght straight
1. obsolete : stretch
2. chiefly Scotland : straighten
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: straight (II)
1. : something that is straight: as
a. : a straight line or arrangement
the garden was laid out on the straight
b. : a level place, part, or area : plain
c. : a straight extent (as of a road) : straightaway ; especially : the portion of a racetrack between the last turn and the winning post
d. : a true, honest, upright report or way of life : one involving no concealment, trickery, or dishonesty
tell us the straight of it
had been on the straight for several years
e. : a shoe adapted for wear on either foot and made with no deviation in the forepart of the foot in relation to the heel
f. : grain 6d
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 — compare place , show
3. : a combination in a poker hand that consists of five cards in sequence but not all in the same suit and beats three of a kind but loses to a flush — see poker illustration
•
- out of straight
V. adjective
1. : heterosexual
2. : not using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
3. : straightbred
VI. noun
1. : one who adheres to conventional attitudes and mores
2. : a nonuser of illicit drugs
3. : heterosexual