Meaning

(countable) A dried stalk of a cereal plant..

Definitions by Sense

1. (countable) A dried stalk of a cereal plant.
2. (uncountable) Such dried stalks considered collectively; this bulk matter may be a chief salable product, a by-product, fodder, bedding, or green manure, depending on region and on current market conditions.
3. (countable) A drinking straw.
4. (uncommon) A pale, yellowish beige colour, like that of a dried straw.
5. (figurative, chiefly in the negative) Anything proverbially worthless; the least possible thing.
6. A straw owner.
7. Made of straw.
8. Of a pale, yellowish beige colour, like that of a dried straw.

Example Sentences

to not care a straw

‘For thy sword and thy bow I care not a straw, Nor all thine arrows to boot; If I get a knop upon thy bare scop, Thou canst as well shite as shoote.’

He also decided, which was more to his purpose, that Eleanor did not care a straw for him, and that very probably she did care a straw for his rival.

To be deeply interested in the accidents of our existence, to enjoy keenly the mixed texture of human experience, rather leads a man to disregard precautions, and risk his neck against a straw.

The Bromfield Street offices were housed in a dilapidated but heavily-insured building, owned by a straw for a wealthy downtown real estate developer, surrounded by expensive new commercial developments, and in a city renowned for arson-for-profit.

straw hat

A straw enemy built up in the media to seem like a real threat, which then collapses like a balloon.

It was the custom for the disaffected of those days to make known their grievances by distributing papers on doors of public buildings, and even strawing them in the high way, for the benefit of the chance passenger.

Word Forms

• straws
• strawing
• strawed

Synonyms for straw

Antonyms for straw

Related Words

When Should You Use Straw?

Use straw when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions