straighten
straighten — verb
1. to remove bends or curves from something so that it runs in a single line, or fo
to remove bends or curves from something so that it runs in a single line, or for a bent object to become straight by itself.
Élise tried to straighten the bent coat hanger, but the wire curled back instantly.
transitive: straighten + bent object
The footpath straightens beyond the old oak tree near the edge of the village.
intransitive: path/road/line straightens
Asher straightened the twist in the garden hose before turning on the tap.
Michael straightened the rolled-up yoga mat and laid it flat on the wooden floor.
- unbend
focuses on removing a bend from a single object, often metal or wire
- smooth out
more about removing wrinkles or creases from fabric or paper
- align
focuses on positioning things in a straight line relative to each other
文法句型
straighten + object
subject + straighten (intransitive)
straighten up / straighten out
用法筆記
The intransitive use (the road straightens) describes a natural change of state, while the transitive use (she straightened the wire) implies deliberate effort.
常見錯誤
2. to make a surface flat and even so that nothing sticks up, tilts, or slopes.
to make a surface flat and even so that nothing sticks up, tilts, or slopes.
Naoko straightened the rug with her foot until the corner lay flat against the floor.
collocation: straighten a rug / carpet / mat
The construction crew straightened the foundation by pouring fresh cement over the low spots.
collocation: straighten a surface / foundation / floor
Esteban straightened the poster on the wall by pressing its curled corners down with tape.
Amihan straightened the chairs in the hall so each one faced the stage squarely.
- tilt
to cause a surface to slope or lean to one side
文法句型
straighten + object (a surface)
用法筆記
This sense overlaps partly with 'make level' or 'flatten,' but 'straighten' emphasises removing visible tilt or unevenness, not smoothing a rough texture.
3. to put items back into their proper positions in a space, making it look clean a
to put items back into their proper positions in a space, making it look clean and well-organised rather than messy.
Otis straightened his desk after the meeting, stacking the loose papers into neat piles.
transitive: straighten + room / desk / shelf
The children were told to straighten their rooms before the dinner guests arrived.
passive: be told to straighten [space]
Yumi straightened the books on the shelf, facing the spines outward by height.
Ingrid straightened the living room before her parents came to stay for the holiday.
文法句型
straighten + object (room / desk / books / things)
用法筆記
Unlike 'clean' (which involves washing or removing dirt), 'straighten' in this sense is about arranging objects neatly. The phrasal verb 'straighten up' is very common with this meaning, especially in spoken English.
常見錯誤
4. to move your back, neck, shoulders, or legs into a straight position after they
to move your back, neck, shoulders, or legs into a straight position after they have been bent or slouched, often while standing up from a seated or hunched posture.
The nurse straightened her back after two hours of leaning over the patient's bed.
collocation: straighten your back / shoulders / legs
Felipe straightened up when the manager walked past, looking suddenly alert.
phrasal: straighten up = stand upright
Aarav straightened from the vegetable patch, rubbing the ache in his lower back.
Léa straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath before stepping onto the stage.
- unbend
more formal; describes returning to a straight position after bending
- stand up straight
a full phrase; more explicit about the resulting posture
文法句型
straighten + back / shoulders / legs
straighten up
straighten + reflexive pronoun
用法筆記
When 'straighten' is used with body parts, the object is almost always a body part ('straighten your back') or the reflexive pronoun ('straighten yourself'). The phrasal verb 'straighten up' is commonly used without an object for the same meaning.