straighten
straighten Lexical Profile
straighten Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To make or become straight in form, alignment, or direction; to remove bends, curves, or curls from something.
"He used a pair of pliers to straighten the bent metal wire before fixing the fence."
To make neat, tidy, or orderly by arranging things in their proper position.
"She paused outside the office door to straighten her tie and smooth her jacket."
To stand or sit upright after bending, stooping, or slouching.
"After hours of weeding the garden, he had to straighten slowly to ease his aching back."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'straighten' (to make or become straight or tidy) with the near-homophone 'straiten' (to restrict, make narrow, or put into financial distress, most commonly seen in the phrase 'straitened circumstances').
• Rhymes for straighten
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 16th century from the adjective 'straight' (from Middle English 'streght', originally the past participle of Old English 'streccan' meaning 'to stretch') combined with the verbal suffix '-en'.