straddle Meaning & Definition
What Does Straddle Mean?
Straddle is used as a verb meaning to stand, sit, or walk with the legs wide apart. It can also mean to sit astride. As a noun, it means the act or position of one who straddles.
Straddle: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈstra-dᵊl/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | range and span |
| Antonyms | side and go with |
| Plural | straddles |
| Verb forms | straddles, straddling, straddled |
Straddle Definition (Verb)
- to stand, sit, or walk with the legs wide apart
- to sit astride
- to spread out irregularly : sprawl
branches straddled in every direction
- to favor or seem to favor two apparently opposite sides
- to execute a commodities market spread
- to stand, sit, or be astride of
straddle a horse / campsites straddling the river
- to be noncommittal in regard to
straddle an issue
- to belong in part to (each of several categories)
a movie straddling genres
Straddle as a Noun
- the act or position of one who straddles
- a noncommittal or equivocal position
- spread
Synonyms of Straddle
Straddle synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Straddle
Straddle in a Sentence
Wanting to please both sides, he straddled the issue.
This weed straddles the entire garden.
Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
The first salvo fell short; the next was long; the third was a straddle.
Putin seems to be everywhere at once, straddling the ocean, filling the sky, just like Stalin.
branches straddled in every direction
straddle a horse
campsites straddling the river
straddle an issue
a movie straddling genres
She straddled the horse and waited for her riding partner to mount.
The town straddles the river.
The movie straddles the line between comedy and drama.
The politician straddled the issue for weeks.
straddle a horse / campsites straddling the river
Word Forms & Grammar
strad·dled
strad·dling
strad·dler noun
straddle
straddled
straddler
straddlers
straddles
straddling
straddle (third-person singular simple present straddles, present participle straddling, simple past and past participle straddled)
straddle (plural straddles)
straddle (not comparable)
Words That Rhyme With Straddle
Origin of Straddle
Origin 1: irregular from stride
Origin 2: As a verb, attested since the 1560s. Most likely, an alteration of dialectal striddle. The noun is first attested in the 1610s.
First Known Use
1565i
1611
How to Pronounce Straddle
The standard pronunciation of straddle is /ˈstra-dᵊl/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (stra).
Questions People Ask About Straddle
Is straddle a verb or a noun?
Straddle is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for straddle?
You can replace straddle with words such as range and span. See the full list of straddle synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of straddle?
The plural of straddle is straddles.
What is the past tense of straddle?
The past tense of straddle is straddled. The present participle is straddling.