straighten
to make or become straight in direction, form, position, character, conduct, condition, etc. (often followed by up or out).
Origin of straighten
1Other words from straighten
- straight·en·er, noun
- o·ver·straight·en, verb
- pre·straight·en, verb (used with object)
- re·straight·en, verb
- un·straight·ened, adjective
- well-straightened, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use straighten in a sentence
At that point my own red flags went off and I told him, ‘No, I’ll just come to work tomorrow with my hair straightened.
Bill Cosby’s Long List of Accusers (So Far): 18 Alleged Sexual Assault Victims Between 1965-2004 | Marlow Stern | November 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe man with the scars straightened up to embrace him and they touched temples, a sign of affection.
They also noted that somebody appeared to have straightened up the cabin.
When the “Cash for Clunkers” program was stalled, Zients straightened it out.
Beware, Republicans: HealthCare.gov Will Rise Again | Michael Tomasky | November 28, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTHe bent down and said something to her in Farsi and seemed fortified as he straightened to face the press.
The Little Girl Who Welcomed Mossadegh to New York | Michael Daly | September 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
He has straightened out his line on the left; after a fierce fight which has cost him no less than 700 fresh casualties.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonI straightened his arms, and covered his face with the blood-stained coat and left him to his long sleep.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairThen she thought better of it and straightened up, looking straight into the face of the owner of the purse.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage | Gertrude W. MorrisonBlack Hood straightened as the overhead doors fell into place and locked.
He read to her little bits out of the newspaper, while she straightened things on the table.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate Chopin
British Dictionary definitions for straighten
/ (ˈstreɪtən) /
to make or become straight
(tr) to make neat or tidy: straighten your desk
Derived forms of straighten
- straightener, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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