straight man

noun

1. an entertainer who plays the part of a foil for a comic partner.

straight man

noun

1. a subsidiary actor who acts as stooge to a comedian

Word History and Origins

Origin of straight man¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

They thought I was guilty of the highest heresy in the all-powerful Church of Fourth-Wave Feminism — choosing a straight man over your femme friends.

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Some scenes introduce that character as the straight man.

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The Marines may make a man of him, but it won’t be a straight man.

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The Cuban American musician, bandleader, actor and producer remains most famous for his role as Lucille Ball’s husband and straight man, Ricky Ricardo, in their iconic 1950s television series, “I Love Lucy.”

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“Yeah, but that doesn’t make sense in this case,” Meyers said, playing the straight man.

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Related Words

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