Is "straightly" common in modern English?

No. It is rare and sounds old-fashioned to most native speakers.

Should I use "straightly" in IELTS writing?

Usually no. "Directly" or "straight" sounds more natural.

What is the difference between "straightly" and "directly"?

"Directly" is the normal modern word. "Straightly" is uncommon and often stylistic.

← Dictionary

straightly

/ˈstreɪt.li/

IELTSAcademic

adverb

Straightly means in a direct, straight, or honest way. It is rare today and often sounds old-fashioned. In modern English, people usually say "straight" or "directly" instead.

He looked straightly at the speaker.
Please answer me straightly.
She walked straightly down the path.

Adinary Nuance

"Straightly" is not the normal choice in modern English. It is much less common than "straight" or "directly" and can sound old-fashioned or unusual. Writers usually avoid it unless they want an archaic style.

In other languages

Vietnamese: thẳng thắn
Spanish: directamente
Chinese: 直接地
Japanese: まっすぐに
Korean: 곧바로

Etymology

From Middle English, based on "straight" + "-ly". It has been used in English since the 14th century, but it is now rare.

Common phrases

speak straightlylook straightlyanswer straightly

Synonyms

directly straight openly

Related words

straightforwardly honestly direct

Frequently asked questions

Is "straightly" common in modern English?: No. It is rare and sounds old-fashioned to most native speakers.
Should I use "straightly" in IELTS writing?: Usually no. "Directly" or "straight" sounds more natural.
What is the difference between "straightly" and "directly"?: "Directly" is the normal modern word. "Straightly" is uncommon and often stylistic.