straightforward
Americanadjective
-
going or directed straight ahead.
a straightforward gaze.
-
not roundabout or evasive; direct.
straightforward criticism;
a straightforward approach to a problem.
-
free from ambiguity; clear.
straightforward instructions.
-
free from crookedness or deceit; honest.
straightforward in one's dealings.
- Antonyms:
- devious
adverb
adjective
-
(of a person) honest, frank, or simple
-
(of a task, etc) simple; easy
adverb
Other Word Forms
- straightforwardly adverb
- straightforwardness noun
- unstraightforward adjective
Etymology
Origin of straightforward
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.
On one end of the recipe spectrum, you have chia seed water — straightforward yet packed with nutritional benefits and textures, namely from the soaked seeds that form a jelly-like consistency.
From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026
Be very simple and straightforward with a question like, “Are you a fiduciary?”
From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026
It actually worked—fasting allowed him to gradually introduce foods back into his diet, revealing a straightforward gluten intolerance, a condition that, indeed, can be linked to nasal issues.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
However, Ukrainian support to the Gulf is not straightforward.
From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026
Calculus makes this relatively straightforward, but Newton deliberately avoided using calculus in his published proofs, realizing that his peers would not accept the calculations unless they were couched in familiar language.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
