What does straightway mean?
Straightway is an adverb meaning immediately, at once, or without delay. It can describe an action that follows another with no appreciable pause, as in “He left straightway after hearing the news.” Although the phrase may sound quaint, it remains fully intelligible and is sometimes used to add a formal or dramatic tone to writing. The modern form “straightaway” is much more common in everyday speech, while “straightway” survives mainly in literary, historical, or deliberately old-fashioned contexts. Its force comes from its directness: it indicates that something happens at once, without hesitation or delay. The word is especially useful when the urgency or decisiveness of an action is important, though in neutral contemporary English “immediately,” “at once,” or “right away” will usually sound more natural.
adverbImmediately or at once; straightaway. “Straightway” is now chiefly literary or archaic.
- Immediately; at once; without delay.
"She recognized the danger and, straightway, called for help."
"The train departed straightway after the final passenger boarded."
"He realized that the letter was urgent and replied straightway."
“Straightway” is the predecessor of the more familiar “straightaway,” preserving an old-fashioned sense of moving without delay.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does straightway come from?
“Straightway” is a compound formed from “straight” and “way,” meaning directly or without turning aside and, by extension, without delay. “Straight” developed from Old English and is historically related to words such as “strain” and “constrain,” through shared traditions of stretching, drawing taut, or compressing. The compound was used in Middle English and became established in the sense of immediately or directly. Over time, its older directional sense faded, leaving the adverbial meaning that is still recognizable today.
How straightway is actually used
The word is literary, archaic, or deliberately formal in modern English. It is understood in both British and American English, but is more typical of older writing and speech.
Easily confused with straightway
“Straightway” is the older, more literary form, while “straightaway” is the standard modern expression meaning immediately.