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verb

straighten

STRAYTN
verb
1
To make something straight, or to become straight.
"He straightened the crooked picture frame on the wall."
"The road straightens out after the next bend."
2
To put something in order or tidy it up.
"Can you straighten the living room before guests arrive?"

How to Use Straighten

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make crooked things straight, or to tidy up a messy situation.

Common pairings
straighten out straighten up straighten a room

Word Forms

straightened past tense, straightens singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

He _____ the crooked picture frame on the wall.

Etymology

Formed from "straight" plus the verb-forming suffix "-en."

Rhymes for straighten

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial