straight man
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of straight man
First recorded in 1925–30
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some scenes introduce that character as the straight man.
From Salon ● Oct. 13, 2025
Mir, a high-strung anxious perfectionist, was written as more of the audience stand-in, the straight man.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2025
But he has grown into his role at “Saturday Night Live,” proving to be an especially strong straight man adept at the comedy of embarrassment.
From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2024
Jadeja is a nice contrast - steady, quick, chipping away, the straight man to Ashwin's varied expressions.
From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2024
His eyes wandered to the fine gray head of this tall, straight man.
From Atlantic Narratives Modern Short Stories by Ashe, Elizabeth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
