straighten

/ˈstreɪtn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstreɪtn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstrā-tᵊn/ (ame, mw)

straighten — verb

  • straightenpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • straightenshe / she / it
  • straightenedpast simple
  • straightening-ing form

1. to remove bends or curves from something so that it runs in a single line, or fo

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to remove bends or curves from something so that it runs in a single line, or for a bent object to become straight by itself.

例句

Élise tried to straighten the bent coat hanger, but the wire curled back instantly.

transitive: straighten + bent object

The footpath straightens beyond the old oak tree near the edge of the village.

intransitive: path/road/line straightens

同義詞
  • unbend

    focuses on removing a bend from a single object, often metal or wire

  • smooth out

    more about removing wrinkles or creases from fabric or paper

  • align

    focuses on positioning things in a straight line relative to each other

反義詞
  • bend

    to make something curved or folded

  • twist

    to turn something into a spiral or distorted shape

文法句型

straighten + object

subject + straighten (intransitive)

straighten up / straighten out

用法筆記

The intransitive use (the road straightens) describes a natural change of state, while the transitive use (she straightened the wire) implies deliberate effort.

常見錯誤

❌He straights the picture on the wall.
✅He straightens the picture on the wall.
💡'straight' is an adjective, not a verb; the verb is 'straighten'.
❌She straightened up the bent nail.
✅She straightened the bent nail.
💡'straighten up' means to tidy or to stand, not to make something physically straight.

2. to make a surface flat and even so that nothing sticks up, tilts, or slopes.

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to make a surface flat and even so that nothing sticks up, tilts, or slopes.

例句

Naoko straightened the rug with her foot until the corner lay flat against the floor.

collocation: straighten a rug / carpet / mat

The construction crew straightened the foundation by pouring fresh cement over the low spots.

collocation: straighten a surface / foundation / floor

同義詞
  • level

    more technical; often used for construction or precise measurement

  • flatten

    emphasises pressing something down until it is flat, often against a surface

反義詞
  • tilt

    to cause a surface to slope or lean to one side

文法句型

straighten + object (a surface)

用法筆記

This sense overlaps partly with 'make level' or 'flatten,' but 'straighten' emphasises removing visible tilt or unevenness, not smoothing a rough texture.

3. to put items back into their proper positions in a space, making it look clean a

3.動詞及物B1
釋義

to put items back into their proper positions in a space, making it look clean and well-organised rather than messy.

例句

Otis straightened his desk after the meeting, stacking the loose papers into neat piles.

transitive: straighten + room / desk / shelf

The children were told to straighten their rooms before the dinner guests arrived.

passive: be told to straighten [space]

同義詞
  • tidy

    very similar, but 'tidy' is more common in British English and can be used without an object ('tidy up')

  • neaten

    more formal and less common; emphasises making something appear neat

  • organise

    broader; includes deciding where items belong, not just rearranging

反義詞
  • mess up

    to make a space untidy or disordered

  • scatter

    to spread things around randomly

文法句型

straighten + object (room / desk / books / things)

用法筆記

Unlike 'clean' (which involves washing or removing dirt), 'straighten' in this sense is about arranging objects neatly. The phrasal verb 'straighten up' is very common with this meaning, especially in spoken English.

常見錯誤

❌I need to clean my desk' (when you mean arranging papers).
✅I need to straighten my desk.
💡'clean' involves removing dirt; 'straighten' means putting things in order.

4. to move your back, neck, shoulders, or legs into a straight position after they

4.動詞及物B1
釋義

to move your back, neck, shoulders, or legs into a straight position after they have been bent or slouched, often while standing up from a seated or hunched posture.

例句

The nurse straightened her back after two hours of leaning over the patient's bed.

collocation: straighten your back / shoulders / legs

Felipe straightened up when the manager walked past, looking suddenly alert.

phrasal: straighten up = stand upright

同義詞
  • unbend

    more formal; describes returning to a straight position after bending

  • stand up straight

    a full phrase; more explicit about the resulting posture

反義詞
  • slouch

    to sit or stand with bent shoulders and a curved back

  • hunch

    to bend your back and shoulders forward

文法句型

straighten + back / shoulders / legs

straighten up

straighten + reflexive pronoun

用法筆記

When 'straighten' is used with body parts, the object is almost always a body part ('straighten your back') or the reflexive pronoun ('straighten yourself'). The phrasal verb 'straighten up' is commonly used without an object for the same meaning.

常見錯誤

❌He straightened his body and sat down.
✅He straightened up and sat down.
💡'straightened his body' sounds odd; use 'straighten up' or name a specific body part like 'back'.