straddle
straddle Lexical Profile
straddle Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To sit or stand with one leg on either side of something.
"He adjusted his helmet and moved to straddle the motorcycle before starting the engine."
To extend across or be situated on both sides of a boundary, line, or category.
"The historic village continues to straddle the border between the two provinces."
To take up an equivocal or noncommittal position regarding two opposing sides of an issue.
"Politicians often attempt to straddle controversial topics to avoid alienating moderate voters."
• noun
An act or posture of sitting or standing with one leg on either side of something.
"The gymnast held a wide straddle on the balance beam before dismounting."
An investment strategy involving the simultaneous purchase of a put option and a call option on the same underlying security with the same strike price and expiration date.
"Expecting high market volatility after the earnings report, the trader bought a straddle on the technology stock."
A noncommittal or equivocal position between two opposing sides or issues.
"The candidate's careful straddle on the tax reform issue failed to satisfy either party."
• Rhymes for straddle
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the late 16th century, "straddle" originated as a frequentative modification of the verb "stride" (from Old English "stridan"), combining the dialectal root "strade" with the suffix "-le" to denote standing or walking with legs spread wide apart.