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Synonyms

straightaway

American  
[streyt-uh-wey] / ˈstreɪt əˌweɪ /

adjective

  1. straight onward, without turn or curve, as a racecourse.


noun

  1. a straightaway course or part.

adverb

  1. immediately; right away.

straightaway British  
/ ˌstreɪtəˈweɪ /

adverb

  1. at once

"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

noun

  1. the US word for straight

"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

Etymology

Origin of straightaway

First recorded in 1870–75; from phrase straight away

Vocabulary lists containing straightaway

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.

Yamamoto then let Gabriel Arias, the No. 8 hitter, get a hold of a curveball for a 407-foot home run to straightaway center field, his first this season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"Some guys, like Jannik and Carlos, they're just capable of showing up to the Australian Open, playing great tennis straightaway," he said.

From Barron's • Jan. 3, 2026

Experienced drivers can hit 170 mph on the back straightaway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

"We now know that eels above 70cm in length are carrying in and around one million eggs, so that straightaway is a million-egg female going straight to sea," said Dr Evans.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2025

‘He mightn't even be able to go back to school, might he, not straightaway? He might not be well enough.’

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

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