straw poll: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumformal, semi-formal
Quick answer
What does “straw poll” mean?
An informal, unofficial survey of opinion, often conducted quickly to gauge general sentiment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal, unofficial survey of opinion, often conducted quickly to gauge general sentiment.
Used primarily in political and organisational contexts to measure preliminary support or opposition without the rigour of a formal, scientific poll.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with internal party politics and media discourse in the US, while in the UK it is commonly used in political journalism and organisational meetings.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the prominent use of early primary 'straw polls' in US elections.
Grammar
How to Use “straw poll” in a Sentence
conduct a straw poll on [topic]take a straw poll of [group]straw poll shows/indicates that [clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “straw poll” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee decided to straw-poll members before drafting the proposal.
American English
- Let's straw-poll the attendees to see if we need a break.
adjective
British English
- The straw-poll results were not considered definitive.
American English
- We reviewed the straw-poll data before the meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in meetings to quickly assess team sentiment before making a non-binding decision.
Academic
Referenced in political science texts to describe non-scientific methods of measuring public opinion.
Everyday
Can be used among friends or family to decide on minor issues, like where to eat.
Technical
In market research, denotes a preliminary, non-randomised data collection method.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “straw poll”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “straw poll”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “straw poll”
- Misspelling as 'straw pole'.
- Using it to describe a formal, scientific survey.
- Confusing it with a primary election or caucus.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal method that does not use a statistically representative sample, so its results are not scientifically valid.
The term likely originates from the practice of using a straw (or straws) to cast an informal vote, or metaphorically from 'a straw in the wind' as a test of direction.
Typically not for final, binding decisions. It is used for guidance, to gauge initial reactions, or to inform discussion.
A straw poll is an informal opinion survey, often without official consequences. A primary election is an official, binding vote to select a party's candidate for office.
An informal, unofficial survey of opinion, often conducted quickly to gauge general sentiment.
Straw poll is usually formal, semi-formal in register.
Straw poll: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstrɔː ˈpəʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstrɔ ˈpoʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a straw in the wind (related metaphor)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine throwing straws into the air to see which way the wind blows; a 'straw poll' tests the 'wind' of opinion.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPINION IS A FLUID/MEASURING OPINION IS TESTING THE WIND
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a straw poll?