Pronunciation

/ˈstrɔː/

Definitions

Noun

• Straw: 1. The thin, hollow stem of certain plants, especially those used for feeding animals or for making thatched roofs or baskets. Example: “The farmer gathered straws to bind the hay bale.”
• 2. A person’s opinion or viewpoint, often considered superficial or unimportant. Example: “Everyone else saw the problem, but he was just grasping at straws.”

Verb

• Straw: Not a common verb form; the noun “straw” is typically used in a gerund context, such as “to use straw to feed animals” or metaphorically as in “to grasp at straws.”

Adjective

• Straw-colored or straw-like: Having a pale yellowish-brown color, resembling straw. Example: “The sky was a straw-colored canvas after the sunset.”

Phrases

• “Straw poll” refers to a preliminary vote taken to gauge public opinion.
• “Drink through a straw” is an expression used to describe consuming beverages using a flexible tube.
• “Throwing straw into the fire” is a metaphor for adding trivial or insignificant things to a difficult situation.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The horse grazed on the fresh straw in the stable.”
• Adjective: “The straw-colored walls of the cottage provided a charming contrast to the green landscape.”
• Metaphor: “He felt like he was throwing straws into the wind, trying to solve the complex issue.”

Synonyms

• Hay (as a material)
• Baling wire (informally, to express a weak opinion)
• Superficial idea
• Trifling matter
• Strawman argument (a weak or easily debunked point raised to support a position)