Word
strait
US/ˈstɹeɪt/
UK/stɹˈeɪt/
Definitions
01water passage
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Geography
n. a narrow area of sea that connects two larger bodies of water.
n. a narrow channel of water connecting two larger seas or lakes.
“The ship sailed through the narrow strait between the two islands.”
“The Strait of Malacca remains one of the most important shipping lanes in the world, linking the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.”
Pitfall
The ship sailed through the straight of Gibraltar.
The ship sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Do not confuse 'strait' (water passage) with 'straight' (not curved).
02difficult situation
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Formal
n. a very difficult situation, especially one where you do not have enough money.
n. a state of extreme difficulty, distress, or misfortune; almost exclusively used in the plural form 'straits'.
“The company was in dire straits after losing its biggest customer.”
“Following the market crash, many small businesses found themselves in desperate financial straits, unable to secure the loans needed to stay afloat.”
Usage
Usually appears in the plural form 'straits' and often follows the adjective 'dire'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03narrow or strict
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
adj. narrow or very limited in space; also used to describe very strict rules.
adj. restricted in space or scope; narrow. In modern English, this sense is largely preserved in fixed expressions like 'straitjacket' or 'strait-laced'.
“The path through the mountains was strait and difficult to follow.”
“The monk lived a strait life, confined to a small cell and following the most rigorous rules of his order.”
Teaching tip
Modern students will mostly see this root in the words 'straitjacket' or 'strait-laced'. In those cases, it is often misspelled as 'straight'.
Real-World Examples
“Verified videos show a major oil slick washing up on Iran's Qeshm Island, which analysts have said comes from a ship hit by a strike in the Strait of Hormuz.” “The spill of Russian crude bound for India compounds the environmental damage from spills in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where tankers and oil facilities have come under attack.” “Latest IMO data indicates that only around seven ships passed through the strait on Sunday, almost 20 times lower than the pre-war daily average.” Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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