Word
straightaway
Phoneticsstraight·away
US/ˈstɹeɪtəˌweɪ/
UK/stɹˈeɪtəwˌeɪ/
Adverb of time
Definition
adv. right now, without any waiting or delay. You use this when something needs to happen immediately.
adv. without delay or intervening time; immediately. Refers to action that follows directly after a prior event or instruction.
Examples
“I call the doctor straightaway when I feel sick.”
“After the pipe bursts, she turns off the water and calls a plumber straightaway to limit the damage.”
“The letter demands a reply straightaway, yet its careful wording suggests the writer understands that haste often produces the very mistakes careful negotiation seeks to avoid.”
Examples
simple
“I call the doctor straightaway when I feel sick.”
contextual
“After the pipe bursts, she turns off the water and calls a plumber straightaway to limit the damage.”
complex
“The letter demands a reply straightaway, yet its careful wording suggests the writer understands that haste often produces the very mistakes careful negotiation seeks to avoid.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “straightaway” in context.
Verb
01. call straightaway
“If you feel dizzy again, call straightaway for help.”
verb + adv
02. come straightaway
“The doctor asked me to come straightaway to the clinic.”
verb + adv
03. go straightaway
“Go straightaway to the office and wait for me there.”
verb + adv
04. leave straightaway
“We must leave straightaway or we'll miss the last train.”
verb + adv
05. pay straightaway
“You need to pay straightaway to confirm your booking.”
verb + adv
06. start straightaway
“We don't have time to wait, so let's start straightaway.”
verb + adv
07. tell straightaway
“Tell me straightaway if you have any problems.”
verb + adv
08. call a doctor straightaway
“If the fever gets worse, call a doctor straightaway.”
09. do it straightaway
“Don't wait until tomorrow — do it straightaway.”
10. get help straightaway
“If you smell gas, get help straightaway.”
11. go straightaway to hospital
“After the accident, he went straightaway to hospital.”
12. pay the bill straightaway
“Please pay the bill straightaway to avoid extra charges.”
Usage
Typically placed after the verb or at the end of the clause.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/straightaway