straight face

American  

noun

1. a serious or impassive facial expression that conceals one's true feelings about something, especially a desire to laugh.

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straight face British  

noun

1. a serious facial expression, esp one that conceals the impulse to laugh

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straight face Idioms  

1. see keep a straight face.

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Other Word Forms

• straight-faced
  adjective
• straight-facedly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of straight face

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

That was not something I could have said with a straight face a decade ago.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 6, 2026

A decade later, it’s hard to believe someone wrote that with a straight face, especially as polls show that men are more eager than women to settle down and build families.

From Salon • Jun. 29, 2026

The paper “published this piece with zero evidence. And we’re all just supposed to sit here with a straight face and take it like it is some sort of truth.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

Much like online dating profiles, it turns out that athletes like saying they’re at least 6 feet tall if they can do it with a straight face.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

How could I ask for “horse” with a straight face?

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini