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“Straight” or “Strait”

straight / strait are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

straight s·t·r·EY·t

  • nouna poker hand with 5 consecutive cards (regardless of suit).
  • adjectivesuccessive (without a break).
  • adjectivehaving no deviations.
  • adjective(of hair) having no waves or curls.
  • adjectiveerect in posture.
  • adjectivein keeping with the facts.
  • adjectivecharacterized by honesty and fairness.
  • adjectivefree from curves or angles.
  • adjectiveneatly arranged; not disorderly.
  • adjectivenot homosexual.
  • adjectivefollowing a correct or logical method.
  • adverbin a straight line; in a direct course.

strait s·t·r·EY·t

  • nouna narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water.
  • adjectivenarrow.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“straight”

  • …which are sawtoothed instead of straight.
  • The front legs are short, straight and thick.
  • …summer of 2004, Ricardo moved straight to the Primeira Liga, signing…
  • …zigzag pattern instead of a straight edge.
  • Profile The Georgia Straight
  • …complicated figures using shape tools, straight and curved tools, polygon tools,…
  • …oriented lengthwise with a thick straight rim slanting backwards.
  • …defeated the Wildcats in eight straight meetings and continued to lead…
  • Apollo walks straight from his confrontation with Starbuck…
  • …you can say with a straight face that My Heavenly Hockey…

“strait”

  • Category:Torres Strait Islands communities
  • …September 1944, near the Sunda Strait, whose position had been identified…
  • …21, the sloops entered the strait separating the island from the…
  • …Fenai a Bae Conwy/ Menai Strait and Conwy Bay
  • …and a high grip for strait back recoiling.
  • …saw Ursula head for the Strait of Messina, where she fired…
  • …to Malaya via the Malacca Strait.
  • …moved out of the Bering Strait.
  • …AD 1600 around the Bering Strait, the Thule people being the…
  • …should have explored the Bering Strait and the North-Western way.

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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