Phrase guide

straight face

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌstɹeɪt ˈfeɪs/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A face that is expressionless, especially not laughing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I don't think I could recite "Peter Piper" quickly ten times with a straight face.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a serious facial expression giving no evidence of interest or amusement

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: facial expression, facial gesture

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: vakava ilme — Translations
  • Finnish: pokka — Translations
  • Indonesian: muka lempeng — Translations
  • Polish: poważna mina — Translations
  • Spanish: compostura — Translations
  • Spanish: seriedad — Translations
  • Spanish: rostro serio — Translations