straightaway

[ streyt-uh-wey ]

adjective

1. straight onward, without turn or curve, as a racecourse.

noun

1. a straightaway course or part.

adverb

1. immediately; right away.

straightaway

/ ˌstreɪtəˈweɪ /

adverb

1. at once

noun

1. the US word for straight

Word History and Origins

Origin of straightaway¹

First recorded in 1870–75; from phrase straight away

Example Sentences

If no one wins a majority straightaway, an instant runoff will occur.

From Salon

"Hopefully it's nothing to be concerned about. I'm quite relaxed, because if it's something bad, you feel it straightaway a bit more."

From BBC

England tour New Zealand both this winter and next winter, for Test and limited-overs matches respectively, so straightaway there are two series when he doesn't have to be away from home.

From BBC

"We knew it straightaway, and we were aware of what happened."

From BBC

I came by accident to it, and then it became straightaway my passion.

From Los Angeles Times