Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

straight arrow

American  

noun

Informal.
  1. a person who manifests high-minded devotion to clean living and moral righteousness.


straight arrow British  

noun

  1. informal

    1. a clean-living and honest person

    2. ( as modifier )

      a straight-arrow cop

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of straight arrow

First recorded in 1965–70

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.

See Examples For:

As the straight arrow protagonist, Park expertly pulls off a trick similar to Kristen Wiig in “Bridesmaids”: Her character serves as the narrative engine, while also setting up comedy opportunities for the others.

From New York Times Jul. 6, 2023

Widely described as an earnest straight arrow who carried himself with understated confidence, he excelled in all high school endeavors save for athletics and was elected president of his class.

From Washington Post Sep. 13, 2022

Lobo said Thursday he brought Bonilla in to clean up the force, because he was known as a straight arrow.

From Washington Times Apr. 30, 2020

It’s a testament to Luke Perry that his straight arrow was as much fun to watch as Ulrich’s live wire.

From Slate Mar. 4, 2019

At Truman, Wayne is known as a straight arrow, Mr. Responsibility.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training