Definitions
Straighten is a verb that means to make something straight or to remove any curls or kinks. It can also mean to make something orderly or neat.
Example
She straightened her hair with a flat iron.
Example
He straightened the books on the shelf.
Straiten is a verb that means to restrict or limit something, usually in terms of finances or resources. It can also mean to cause hardship or distress.
Example
The pandemic has straitened the economy.
Example
The loss of his job straitened his circumstances.
Tips To Remember the Differences
Here are a few tips to easily distinguish the difference between these words while keeping in mind the description we've provided:
- To remember the difference between these two words, think of straighten as making something straight or neat, like straightening your hair or straightening up a room. - For straiten, think of it as causing hardship or distress, like being in a tight strait or struggling financially.
Remember this!
Remember, straighten means to make something straight or neat, while straiten means to restrict or limit something, usually in terms of finances or resources.
