strait-laced

or straight-laced

[ streyt-leyst ]

adjective

1. excessively strict in conduct or morality; puritanical; prudish:

   strait-laced censors.

2. tightly laced, as a bodice.
3. wearing tightly laced garments.

strait-laced

adjective

1. prudish or puritanical

Other Words From

• strait-laced·ly [streyt, -, ley, -sid-lee, -, leyst, -lee], adverb
• strait-laced·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of strait-laced¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50