# straightforward

/ˈstɹeɪtˈfɔɹwɝd/ (US) · /stɹeɪtfˈɔːwəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/straightforward
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. easy and simple

adjective · CEFR B2

easy to do or understand; not complicated.

For teachers: uncomplicated and easy to perform or comprehend; lacking complexity.

- The instructions for the new coffee machine were very straightforward.
- The assembly process was surprisingly straightforward, requiring only a single tool and less than twenty minutes of focused effort.

### 2. honest and direct

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

honest and open about what you think, without trying to hide anything.

For teachers: direct and honest in communication; free from ambiguity or evasiveness.

- I appreciate his straightforward way of talking about the problem.
- The CEO gave a straightforward account of the company's financial difficulties, earning the respect of the shareholders through her transparency.

### 3. moving in a straight line

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

moving or pointing in a straight direction.

For teachers: proceeding in a straight course without deviation.

- The path through the forest was straightforward and easy to follow.
- The road offered a straightforward trajectory across the plains, stretching toward the horizon without a single curve for miles.

### 4. in a direct way

adverb · CEFR C2 · Formal

in a direct or honest manner.

For teachers: in a direct, honest, or uncomplicated manner; often replaced by 'straightforwardly' in modern usage.

- He looked at her straightforward and told her the truth.
- The witness answered each question straightforward, refusing to be rattled by the prosecutor's aggressive line of inquiry.

## Examples

- The instructions for the new coffee machine are very straightforward.
- The application process is quite straightforward and should only take you ten minutes to complete.
- While the initial hypothesis appeared straightforward, the subsequent data analysis revealed several layers of complexity that the research team had not anticipated.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.