strait-laced

Or straight-laced

[streyt-leyst]

adjective

1. excessively strict in conduct or morality; puritanical; prudish.

   strait-laced censors.

2. tightly laced, as a bodice.

3. wearing tightly laced garments.

strait-laced

adjective

1. prudish or puritanical

Other Word Forms

• strait-lacedly adverb
• strait-lacedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of strait-laced¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50