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Synonyms

straightaway

American  
[strayt-uh-way] / 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.

See Examples For:

I was already writing songs, but when we met, he gave me a lyric and I straightaway put a tune to it, and we didn’t even discuss that.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

Members do not have to buy the new range straightaway, the website explains, and they can continue to wear the old uniform until they need a replacement.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 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

“I could run and fetch it straightaway, unless you’d like drinks first.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

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