straightforward (adj.)

1550s, "directly forward, right ahead," from straight (adj.1) + forward (adv.). In reference to language, from 1806. Related: Straightforwardly; straightforwardness.

Entries linking to straightforward

straight (adj.1)

late 14c., "direct, undeviating; not crooked, not bent or curved," of a person, "direct, honest;" properly "stretched," adjectival use of Old English streht (earlier streaht), past participle of streccan "to stretch" (see stretch (v.)). Related: Straightly; straightness.

Meaning "true, direct, honest" is from 1520s. Of communication, "clear, unambiguous," from 1862. Sense of "undiluted, uncompromising" (as in straight whiskey, 1874) is American English, first recorded 1856. As an adverb from c. 1300, "in a straight line, without swerving or deviating." Theatrical sense of "serious" (as opposed to popular or comic) is attested from 1895; vaudeville slang straight man first attested 1923.

Go straight in the underworld slang sense is from 1919; straighten up "become respectable" is from 1907. To play it straight is from 1906 in theater, 1907 in sports ("play fair"), with figurative extension; later perhaps also from jazz. Straight arrow "decent, conventional person" is 1969, from archetypal Native American brave name. Straight shooter is from 1928. Straight As "top grades" is from 1920.

forward (adv.)

Old English forewearde "toward the front, in front; toward the future; at the beginning;" see fore + -ward. Adjectival sense of "early" is from 1520s; that of "presumptuous" is attested from 1560s. The Old English adjective meant "inclined to the front; early; former."

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Definitions of straightforward

straightforward (adj.)

without evasion or compromise;

he is not being as straightforward as it appears

Synonyms: square / straight

straightforward (adj.)

free from ambiguity;

a straightforward set of instructions

straightforward (adj.)

without concealment or deception; honest;

straightforward in all his business affairs

Synonyms: aboveboard

straightforward (adj.)

pointed directly ahead;

a straightforward gaze

From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near straightforward

straggler

straight

straight-edge

straighten

straight-faced

straightforward

strain

strainer

strait

straiten

straitened