straightforward

straight·for·ward
S1T1R1A1I1G2H4T1F4O1R1W4A1R1D2
/ˌstɹeɪtˈfɔː(ɹ)wə(ɹ)d/

adjective

Proceeding in a straight course or manner; not deviating.

Opposite
CommonScrabble 26

Meanings

adjectivestraightforward (comparative more straightforward or (rare) straighterforward, superlative most straightforward or (rare) straightestforward)

comparative more straightforward · comparative rare straighterforward · superlative most straightforward · rare superlative straightestforward

  1. Proceeding in a straight course or manner; not deviating.

    Antonyms: sidelong

  2. Easy, simple, uncomplicated, without difficulty.

    For the most part they are of straightforward design and the largest group is the ex-Prussian "T16" Class 0-10-0 of Type "94", [...].

    1960 September, P. Ransome-Wallis, “Modern motive power of the German Federal Railway: Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 553
    1 more example

    Poland played with great energy, quick to the ball, strong in the challenge, and projecting the clear sense they had absolutely no intention whatsoever of making this a straightforward night.

    2013 October 15, Daniel Taylor, “Steven Gerrard goal against Poland ensures England will go to World Cup”, in The Guardian
  3. figurativelyDirect; forthright; frank; sincere.

    A great deal of the uneasiness about Clinton reflects his propensity to dance away from straightforward yes or no answers to any character question.

    1992 April 20, George J. Church, “Why Voters Don't Trust Clinton”, in Time, page 38

    Synonyms: unvarnished, round · Antonyms: sidelong

adverbstraightforward (comparative more straightforward or (rare) straighterforward, superlative most straightforward or (rare) straightestforward)

comparative more straightforward · comparative rare straighterforward · superlative most straightforward · rare superlative straightestforward

  1. In a straightforward manner; straightforwards; straightforwardly.

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveProceeding in a straight course or manner; not deviating.

Opposite

adjectiveDirect; forthright; frank; sincere.

Opposite

More synonyms by meaning

adjectivefree from ambiguity

adjectivewithout evasion or compromise

adjectivewithout concealment or deception; honest

adjectivepointed directly ahead

Similar

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

Translations

Arabic صَرِيح, مُسْتَقِيم
  • صَرِيح (ṣarīḥ)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • مُسْتَقِيم (mustaqīm)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Bulgarian прост, разбираем
  • прост (prost)presenting few difficulties, easy
  • разбираем (razbiraem)presenting few difficulties, easy
  • прям (prjam)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • открит (otkrit)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • прямо (prjamo)In a straightforward manner
  • открито (otkrito)In a straightforward manner
Chinese Mandarin 簡單 /简单, 乾脆 /干脆
  • 簡單 /简单 (jiǎndān)presenting few difficulties, easy
  • 乾脆 /干脆 (gāncuì)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • 直心眼 (zhíxīnyǎn)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • 直截了當 /直截了当 (zhíjiéliǎodàng)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • 爽直 (shuǎngzhí)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • 爽快 (shuǎngkuai)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • 簡單 /简单 (jiǎndān)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • 直爽地In a straightforward manner
Czech přímočarý, přímý
  • přímočarýnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • přímýnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • nepokrytěIn a straightforward manner
  • otevřeněIn a straightforward manner
Dutch makkelijk, eenvoudig
  • makkelijkpresenting few difficulties, easy
  • eenvoudigpresenting few difficulties, easy
  • simpelpresenting few difficulties, easy
  • directnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • eerlijknot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • opennot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Finnish suoraviivainen, suora
  • suoraviivainenpresenting few difficulties, easy
  • suoranot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • suoraviivainennot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • avoinnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • suoraanIn a straightforward manner
  • suoraviivaisestiIn a straightforward manner
  • avoimestiIn a straightforward manner
French facile, aisé
  • facilepresenting few difficulties, easy
  • aisépresenting few difficulties, easy
  • immédiatpresenting few difficulties, easy
  • directnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • simplenot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • francnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • à brûle-pourpointIn a straightforward manner
German einfach, aufrichtig
  • einfachpresenting few difficulties, easy
  • aufrichtignot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • einfachnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • offennot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Greek απλός, ευθύς
  • απλός (aplós)presenting few difficulties, easy
  • ευθύς (efthýs)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • έντιμος (éntimos)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Hungarian egyenes
  • egyenesnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Italian facile, semplice
  • facilepresenting few difficulties, easy
  • semplicepresenting few difficulties, easy
  • schiettonot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • franconot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • direttonot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • sinceronot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • direttoIn a straightforward manner
Japanese 率直, まっすぐ
  • 率直 (sotchoku)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • まっすぐ (massugu)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • 簡単 (kantan)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Latin explicātus, explicātus
  • explicātuspresenting few difficulties, easy
  • explicātusnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • prōsusnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Māori waingōhia
  • waingōhiapresenting few difficulties, easy
Polish prostolinijny, bezpośredni
  • prostolinijnynot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • bezpośredninot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Portuguese fácil, direto
  • fácilpresenting few difficulties, easy
  • diretonot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Romanian onest, sincer
  • onestnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • sincernot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • simplunot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Russian просто́й, лёгкий
  • просто́й (prostój)presenting few difficulties, easy
  • лёгкий (ljóxkij)presenting few difficulties, easy
  • прямо́й (prjamój)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • че́стный (čéstnyj)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • просто́й (prostój)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • открове́нный (otkrovénnyj)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Spanish sencillo, llano
  • sencillopresenting few difficulties, easy
  • llanopresenting few difficulties, easy
  • diáfanopresenting few difficulties, easy
  • derechonot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • rectamentenot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • sencillamenteIn a straightforward manner
  • en derechuraIn a straightforward manner
  • derechoIn a straightforward manner
  • derechamenteIn a straightforward manner
  • rectamenteIn a straightforward manner
Swahili -nyofu
  • -nyofunot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Swedish enkel, entydig
  • enkelpresenting few difficulties, easy
  • entydigpresenting few difficulties, easy
  • rättframnot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • raknot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • uppriktignot deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Ukrainian прости́й, легки́й
  • прости́й (prostýj)presenting few difficulties, easy
  • легки́й (lehkýj)presenting few difficulties, easy
  • прями́й (prjamýj)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • че́сний (čésnyj)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
  • відве́ртий (vidvértyj)not deviating; forthright; frank; sincere
Cite this entry
APA

straightforward. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/straightforward

MLA

“straightforward.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/straightforward. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “straightforward,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/straightforward.

Source: straightforward on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.