straight

Most natural in fixed sports phrases like 'in straight sets' (tennis) or 'three straights' (best-of-five matches). Outside these phrases, 'streak' or 'run' is usually preferred.

Distinct from a 'straight flush' (five consecutive cards of the same suit), which is a much stronger hand. Differs from sense 2 in being a fixed poker term, not a sequence of actions.

Mostly informal and chiefly used inside discussions of sexuality or LGBTQ+ topics. The adjective 'a straight person' is felt as more neutral; the bare noun can sound a little blunt or pointed depending on context.

Frequently used in the pattern 'be straight with someone' meaning to tell them the truth. Distinguish from sense 3 (saying something directly): sense 2 is about a person's character; sense 3 is about how a particular message is delivered.

Often appears with verbs of speaking: 'tell straight', 'say straight', 'give it to someone straight'. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 describes the speaker as honest in general; sense 3 describes one piece of speech as delivered without softening.

Common in the patterns 'get X straight' and 'have one's facts straight', meaning to make information clear and correct. Often used when a speaker is confused and wants to confirm details before continuing.

Subject is usually something that should sit flat or vertical: pictures, shelves, ties, tables, hems. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is about shape (no curves); sense 5 is about position (no slope).

Most common with strong drinks (whisky, vodka, gin) meaning no mixer. With food or coffee, it means plain or without extras. Compare sense 1 ('straight hair'): sense 6 is about purity, not shape.

Always before a plural or uncountable noun naming a unit of time, attempt, or result (days, weeks, hours, wins, losses). Cannot stand alone after a linking verb in this sense — you cannot say 'the games were straight'.

Subject is usually a room, desk, shelf, or other space holding many items together. Distinguish from sense 5 (LEVEL): sense 5 describes a single object's horizontal or vertical alignment ('the picture is straight'); sense 8 describes the orderly arrangement of multiple items across a space ('the desk is straight').

Slightly informal and often mildly negative, suggesting the person or thing is boring or stuck in old ways. Do not confuse with sense 2 (HONEST), which is positive — context and tone tell them apart.

Standard informal term and widely accepted across registers, though 'heterosexual' is preferred in formal or medical contexts. This sense applies to the person; sense 11 covers relationships and activity.

Always before a noun describing the relationship, activity, or unit (couple, marriage, sex, household). Compare sense 10, which describes a person's identity rather than the relationship itself.

Informal, especially common in recovery contexts. Often confused with 'sober', but 'straight' can also imply staying off illegal drugs, while 'sober' usually points only to alcohol. Used predicatively, never before a noun in this sense.

Predicative only and almost always plural-subject or with 'with [person]'; you cannot say 'a straight friend' meaning debt-free. Distinguish from sense 2 (HONEST) and sense 3 (DIRECT IN SPEECH): those describe character or manner, while this sense only describes the financial balance between two specific people.

Almost always paired with "think" and a negative or near-negative context (can't, couldn't, hardly, barely, impossible to). Avoid pairing it with other verbs of mental activity — "reason straight" or "plan straight" sound wrong to native speakers.

About time, not direction. Compare with sense 1: "come straight home" = no detour (route); "come home straight after work" = no delay (time). "Straight away" is the British / Commonwealth equivalent of American "right away".

Often combined with a small particle that names the direction: ahead, up, down, across, through, into. The combination tells the learner exactly which line of motion is meant.