strait: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, geographical
Quick answer
What does “strait” mean?
a narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water
a situation of difficulty, distress, or need
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use it similarly. The metaphorical usage is slightly more common in British formal/literary contexts.
Connotations
Geographical term with formal/literary overtones when used metaphorically.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech; higher in news (geopolitics, geography), literature, and formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “strait” in a Sentence
the Strait of Gibraltarto be in dire straitsstraitened circumstancesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strait” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Ferries regularly cross the busy strait.
- The family's straitened circumstances were evident.
American English
- The strait is a crucial shipping lane.
- They were in dire straits after the market crash.
adjective
British English
- He was raised in a strait-laced Puritan household. (archaic/formal)
American English
- The strait gate is mentioned in the biblical passage. (archaic/formal)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe severe financial difficulty, e.g., 'The company found itself in dire financial straits.'
Academic
Used in geography, history, and political science regarding maritime chokepoints. Metaphorically in literary analysis.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Primarily encountered in news about geography or formal descriptions of hardship.
Technical
A precise geographical term for a narrow, navigable waterway.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “strait”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “strait”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strait”
- Misspelling as 'straight'.
- Using 'strait' as a common synonym for 'problem' (it's formal/literary).
- Using the singular for the metaphorical sense (usually plural: 'in straits').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Strait' is a noun (a narrow water passage) or an adjective meaning 'narrow' or 'strict.' 'Straight' is an adjective/adverb meaning 'not curved' or 'directly.'
As a geographical term, yes, in relevant contexts (news, geography). The metaphorical use ('in dire straits') is a fixed formal/literary expression but is not everyday vocabulary.
The plural form 'straits' has been used idiomatically since the 16th century to mean a condition of acute difficulty or distress, likely by analogy to being trapped in narrow, dangerous waters.
No, 'strait' is not used as a verb in modern English. The archaic verb 'straiten' exists, meaning 'to put into difficulties' or 'to restrict.'
a narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water.
Strait is usually formal, literary, geographical in register.
Strait: in British English it is pronounced /streɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /streɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in dire straits”
- “straitened circumstances”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STRAIT as being too STRAIGHT and narrow for large ships to easily pass, creating a potential difficulty.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIFFICULTIES ARE CONSTRICTED PASSAGES (a narrow, hard-to-navigate path represents a hard situation).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'strait' correctly?