straighten

American  

[streyt-n] / ˈstreɪt n /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become straight in direction, form, position, character, conduct, condition, etc. (often followed by up orout ).

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straighten British  

/ ˈstreɪtən /

verb

1. to make or become straight

2. (tr) to make neat or tidy

   straighten your desk

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Other Word Forms

• overstraighten verb
• prestraighten verb (used with object)
• restraighten verb
• straightener noun
• unstraightened adjective
• well-straightened adjective

Etymology

Origin of straighten

First recorded in 1535–45; straight + -en ¹

Example Sentences

I immediately straighten my back and let my hands fall to my lap.

From Literature

I retie the bows in my sisters’ hair and tell them to straighten their dresses.

From Literature

There were various piles around that seemed hastily straightened up.

From Literature

At the last second, the plane banked wide along the side of the mountain, showed Akira its belly, and then straightened out to go shooting along the front edge of the fire.

From Literature

Then Alice would stand up and straighten her dress and pat her hair and carry the note in both hands out in front of her as if it was news from God.

From Literature

Related Words

• rectify
• uncoil