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Definition of straitlaced

straitlaced

/ˈstreɪtˌleɪst/
strait · laced
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straitlaced Lexical Profile

straitlaced Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having or showing excessively strict, conventional, or puritanical views on morals and behavior.

Example

"Growing up in a straitlaced household, she was never allowed to watch television on weeknights."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Often misspelled as "straight-laced" by folk etymology; the traditional spelling uses "strait" (meaning tight or narrow, as in a tightly laced corset) rather than "straight" (meaning unbent).

• Nearby Words

strainer
strait
straitjacket
straitlaced
straits
stramonium
strand

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 16th century from "strait" (from Old French estreit, meaning tight or narrow) and "laced," originally referring literally to a bodice or corset laced tightly around the body before evolving into a metaphor for rigid moral propriety.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Straitlaced. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/straitlaced
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