strait-laced

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˌstreɪtˈleɪst/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈstreɪtˌleɪst/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(strāt′lāst′)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
strait-laced or straight-laced /ˈstreɪtˌleɪst/USA pronunciation   adj. 
  1. overly strict in conduct or morality:strait-laced ladies.
  2. tightly laced, as an upper part of a dress.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
strait-laced  (strāt′lāst′),USA pronunciation adj. 
  1. excessively strict in conduct or morality; puritanical;
    prudish:strait-laced censors.
  2. tightly laced, as a bodice.
  3. wearing tightly laced garments.
Also, straight-laced. 
  • late Middle English 1400–50
strait-lac′ed•ly  (strāt′lā′sid lē, -lāst′lē),USA pronunciation adv.  strait′-lac′ed•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
strait-laced, straight-laced
  1. prudish or puritanical
'strait-laced' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
square-toes - straight-laced - strait-lace - stuffy

Forum discussions with the word(s) "strait-laced" in the title:


Look up "strait-laced" at Merriam-Webster
Look up "strait-laced" at dictionary.com
  • Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks.

In other languages: Spanish | French | Italian | Portuguese | Romanian | German | Dutch | Swedish | Russian | Polish | Czech | Greek | Turkish | Chinese | Japanese | Korean | Arabic

Advertisements
Advertisements
Report an inappropriate ad.
WordReference.com
WORD OF THE DAY
GET THE DAILY EMAIL!

Become a WordReference Supporter to view the site ad-free.