straightforward

[ streyt-fawr-werd ]

adjective

1. going or directed straight ahead:

   a straightforward gaze.

2. not roundabout or evasive; direct:

   straightforward criticism;

   a straightforward approach to a problem.

3. free from ambiguity; clear:

   straightforward instructions.

4. free from crookedness or deceit; honest:

   straightforward in one's dealings.

   Antonyms: devious

adverb

1. Also straightforwards. straight ahead; directly or continuously forward.

straightforward

/ ˌstreɪtˈfɔːwəd /

adjective

1. (of a person) honest, frank, or simple
2. (of a task, etc) simple; easy

adverb

1. in a straight course

Derived Forms

• ˌstraightˈforwardness, noun
• ˌstraightˈforwardly, adverb

Other Words From

• straightforward·ly adverb
• straightforward·ness noun
• unstraight·forward adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of straightforward¹

First recorded in 1800–10; straight + forward

Example Sentences

Certainly, there could have been a more straightforward adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s acclaimed novel about the friendship between two Black boys at a brutal Florida reform school in the early 1960s.

From Los Angeles Times

“A Different Man” is neither a straightforward drama nor a straight thriller.

From Los Angeles Times

"And that's not a straightforward, easy thing to do. So having a fire break in between old and new is, actually, very helpful."

From BBC

Narrated by Keith David and directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon, this is a straightforward but still lyrical analysis.

From New York Times

The messages were straightforward and concise, although many elected officials who inhabit Sacramento’s political cocoon tend to be tone-deaf to voices that don’t emanate from large campaign donors and special interests.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• candid
• forthright
• genuine
• sincere
• truthful
• unequivocal