straighten

[streyt-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 ).

straighten

/ ˈstreɪtən /

verb

1. to make or become straight

2. (tr) to make neat or tidy

   straighten your desk

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of straighten¹

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

Example Sentences

Her forfeit was to straighten her mop of curly hair for the team's evening meal.

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A year or so after she learned of Gil’s 2008 death, Palmer felt safe enough to head to a Social Security office and “straighten everything out.”

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When the pole starts to straighten, Duplantis is fully upside down and rotates his body to face away from the runway while still applying pressure to the pole.

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"I think we're going to get it all straightened out," he said.

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“You want to straighten out the budget?” he asked.

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Related Words

• rectify 
• uncoil