ENGLISH
REFERENCE

straightened

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈstɹeɪtənd// UK //stɹˈeɪtənd// straight·ened

v. to make something straight or tidy. You use this when you fix the position of an object or stand up tall.

v. to make or become straight in line or form; to remove bends, curves, or untidiness. The past tense or past participle of 'straighten'.


SIMPLE

She straightened her tie before the interview started.

CONTEXTUAL

He straightened the paintings on the wall because they were all hanging at slightly different angles.

COMPLEX

After hours of hunching over his desk, the architect stood up and straightened his back, feeling the tension release in his spine.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive when moving an object, but can be intransitive when a person improves their posture.

Pitfall

He straighten the tableHe straightened the tableLearners often forget the 'ed' ending when describing a completed action in the past.

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