straighten

English

Pronunciation

• IPA: /stɹeɪtn/, SAMPA: /streItn/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪtən

Etymology

From straight + -en

Verb

straighten (third-person singular simple present straightens, present participle straightening, simple past and past participle straightened)

1. (transitive) To cause to become straight.
2. (intransitive) To become straight.
3. (transitive) To put in order; to sort; to tidy up.
   • 2011 Septembe 24, Ben Dirs, “Rugby World Cup 2011: England 67-3 Romania”, BBC Sport:

     Tuilagi and Ashton started in lively fashion, centre Tuilagi doing what he does best, straightening and bursting into the line, and Ashton always looking to leave his wing and get involved in the action.

4. (transitive) To clarify a situation or concept to (an audience).
5. (transitive, slang) To bribe or corrupt.
6. (intransitive) To stand up, especially from a sitting position.

Derived terms

• straightener
• straighten out

Translations

make straight

Dutch: rechtmaken, rechttrekken, rechten Finnish: oikaista (fi), suoristaa (fi)

Spanish: estirar (es) (hair)

become straight

Dutch: zich rechten, recht worden

Finnish: oieta, suoristua

stand up

Dutch: overeind springen; opspringen

See also

• straiten

Anagrams

• shattering