strait laced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strait laced" is not correct; the correct form is "strait-laced." You can use it to describe someone who is very strict or rigid in their morals or behavior. Example: "Her strait-laced attitude made it difficult for her to enjoy the party." Alternative expressions include "uptight" and "prim."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Crowd Decidedly strait-laced.

The New York Times

Not all is strait-laced.

The Economist

How strait-laced is this kid?

The New York Times

Coch is strait-laced and demanding.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Following him Mr. Coltrane sounds strait-laced and needlessly hurried).

The New York Times - Arts

The current Giants were a little more strait-laced.

The New York Times - Sports

Jurors got a glimpse of his strait-laced personality Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Peña was typically strait-laced when discussing the reforms.

The Economist

"It's not nearly as strait-laced," he said.

The New York Times

"Girls, Lisa, girls," Lisa's strait-laced mother Marge corrects her.

The Guardian - Books

The Morrises were a rather strait-laced Presbyterian family.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that "strait" means narrow or tight (as in a straitjacket or the Straits of Gibraltar) rather than linear or non-curved.

Common error

Avoid the common mistake of writing "straight-laced". While it sounds identical, the word stems from the tightness of a corset (strait) rather than the direction of a line (straight).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strait laced" functions as a compound adjective used to describe individuals or institutions characterized by strict moral standards or rigid behavior. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it is almost exclusively used in its hyphenated form to modify nouns such as "personality", "family", or "parents". Ludwig AI indicates that the unhyphenated version is technically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

0.5%

Social Media

0.3%

Reference

0.2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, while you might encounter "strait laced" without a hyphen, it is considered a misspelling in professional English. Ludwig AI and various elite news sources consistently use the hyphenated form "strait-laced". The most important distinction to remember is the spelling of "strait", which refers to being narrow or constricted, not linear. When writing for a formal audience, always opt for the hyphenated or closed spelling to ensure your prose remains credible and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strait-laced

The standard, correct hyphenated spelling preferred by all major publications.

straitlaced

The closed-form variant which is also acceptable in many dictionaries.

buttoned-up

A more idiomatic way to describe someone who is conservative and formal.

prim

Emphasizes the aspect of being excessively formal and easily shocked.

prudish

Specifically targets the moralistic or easily offended nature of the person.

proper

A broader term focusing on adherence to social etiquette and rules.

starchy

Describes a person's stiff and unbendingly formal demeanor.

rigid

Focuses on the lack of flexibility in behavior or thinking.

moralistic

Focuses on the person's tendency to impose moral judgments on others.

square

An informal term for someone who is conventional or old-fashioned.

FAQs

Is it "strait laced" or "strait-laced"?

The correct form is "strait-laced" with a hyphen. Using it without a hyphen is considered a spelling error in formal writing.

What is the difference between "strait laced" and "straight laced"?

While often confused, "straight-laced" is a common misspelling. The original term is "strait-laced", where "strait" means narrow or tight.

What can I say instead of "strait laced"?

You can use terms like "buttoned-up", "prim", or "proper" depending on how formal you want to be.

Can I use "straitlaced" as one word?

Yes, "straitlaced" is an accepted variant in many modern dictionaries, though the hyphenated version remains more frequent in high-quality news sources.