Standard Lemma guide

straightaway

adj · adv · noun · 6 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • /ˌstɹeɪtəˈweɪ/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • /ˈstɹeɪtəˌweɪ/
  • CMU ARPABET: S T R EY1 T AH0 W EY2 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Extending into the distance in a straight line.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Alternative form of straight away (“at once; immediately”).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative, not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Alternative form of straightway (“A straight section of a racetrack.”).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

performed with little or no delay

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an immediate reply to my letter
  • a prompt reply
  • was quick to respond
  • a straightaway denial

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: immediate, prompt, quick

Antonyms: none provided

5

adverb

Meaning 5

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he answered immediately
  • found an answer straightaway
  • an official accused of dishonesty should be suspended forthwith
  • Come here now!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: immediately, instantly, straight off, directly, now, right away, at once, forthwith, like a shot

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

a straight segment of a roadway or racecourse

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: straight

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: section, segment

Narrower terms: stretch

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.