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

Example Sentences

Albert took the throne in July 2005 after the death of his strait-laced father, Prince Rainier.

From The Daily Beast

There was in society, though it was not strait-laced or puritanical, a general standard of "good form."

From Project Gutenberg

I have asked two gentlemen to dinner; that will be livelier, not so strait-laced; we can laugh and enjoy ourselves.

From Project Gutenberg

He had taken the pledge from Father Mathew before he left Ireland, and had kept it faithfully; but he was not strait-laced.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr Taylor's 'solicitous and premeditated formalism' of poetical doctrine is, it must be confessed, a little too strait-laced.

From Project Gutenberg

She stopped on the path outside the decorous strait-laced houses and put her cool gloved hand up to her burning cheek.

From Project Gutenberg