strait

[ streyt ]

noun

1. Often straits. (used with a singular verb) a narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water.
2. Often straits. a position of difficulty, distress, or need:

   Ill and penniless, he was in sad straits indeed.

   Synonyms: plight, predicament, dilemma, pinch, exigency

   Antonyms: ease

3. Archaic. a narrow passage or area.
4. an isthmus.

adjective

, Archaic.

1. narrow:

   Strait is the gate.

2. affording little space; confined in area.
3. strict, as in requirements or principles.

strait

/ streɪt /

noun

1. often plural
   1. a narrow channel of the sea linking two larger areas of sea
   2. ( capital as part of a name )

      the Strait of Gibraltar

2. often plural a position of acute difficulty (often in the phrase in dire or desperate straits )
3. archaic.
   a narrow place or passage

adjective

1. (of spaces, etc) affording little room
2. (of circumstances, etc) limiting or difficult
3. severe, strict, or scrupulous

strait

/ strāt /

1. A narrow waterway joining two larger bodies of water. The Strait of Gibraltar, for example, connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean.

Derived Forms

• ˈstraitly, adverb
• ˈstraitness, noun

Other Words From

• straitly adverb
• straitness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of strait¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English streit “narrow, a strait,” from Old French estreit “narrow, tight,” from Latin strictus, past participle of stringere “to tighten, bind”; strain ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of strait¹

C13: from Old French estreit narrow, from Latin strictus constricted, from stringere to bind tightly

Synonym Study

See emergency.

Example Sentences

The chain is among several that have landed in dire financial straits this year after years of high inflation, increased labor costs and declines in customer demand.

From Los Angeles Times

The plan to close stores was announced as part of the company’s release of its fourth-quarter and end-of-year financial reports, which underscored its dire straits.

From Los Angeles Times

US President Bill Clinton quietly moved US Navy forces into the Taiwan strait to demonstrate to Beijing that the US would prevent an attack on the island.

From BBC

But Ms Bain says the risk of strait being blocked as a result of the conflict is small.

From BBC

He said that due to his dire financial straits, he had no choice but to accept “onerous terms he would have normally rejected in the years before his criminal conviction.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• predicament