verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

straighten

STRAYTN

Straighten (verb) means to make something straight, or to become straight. Example: “He straightened the crooked picture frame on the wall.”

verb

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."

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."

Synonyms

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tidy unbend neaten tidy up clean up roll out square away straighten out

Related words

ordered reform organized PC bend organize neat timely

Rhymes for straighten

tighten lighten frighten heighten brighten enlighten

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Frequently asked questions

What does “straighten” mean?

The word “straighten” means to make something straight, or to become straight. In plain terms, to make crooked things straight, or to tidy up a messy situation.

How do you pronounce “straighten”?

“Straighten” is pronounced STRAYTN (/ˈstɹeɪtn̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “straighten” in a sentence?

Here is “straighten” used in a sentence: “He straightened the crooked picture frame on the wall.”

What part of speech is “straighten”?

“Straighten” is a verb.

Is “straighten” a common word?

“Straighten” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “straighten” have?

“Straighten” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something straight, or to become straight.

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