How to pronounce straighten
Say it like STRAY-tun. Straighten has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce straighten. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STRAY
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Straighten pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STRAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of straighten
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: STRAY-tun.
What does straighten mean?
- To cause to become straight.
- To become straight.
- To put in order; to sort; to tidy up.“to straighten one's affairs”
Where does straighten come from?
From straight + -en. Compare Scots strauchten (“to straighten”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying straighten
How do you pronounce straighten?
Say STRAY-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˈstreɪtən/. In British English it is /ˈstreɪtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in straighten?
Straighten has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STRAY). Broken into parts: STRAY · tun.
Is straighten pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈstreɪtən/ (STRAY-tun).