straightaway

Straightaway is an English adverb meaning immediately or without delay. It is used to indicate that an action should begin or occur at once, as in "We must start straightaway." The two-word form straight away is also common, particularly in British English, while straightaway is standard in American English.

As a noun, straightaway can refer to a straight section of a track or course, especially in racing or cycling. In this sense, competitors accelerate or maintain speed along the straightaway, and commentators may point to the approaching straightaway as a strategic moment in a race, such as the final straightaway on a track.

Origin and usage: The term is formed from straight and away, conveying movement forward without deviation or delay. The one-word spelling has become common in modern usage, though the two-word variant remains widely accepted depending on region and style guide.

See also: immediately, at once, promptly. Related ideas include straight run or straight path, which describe direct, uninterrupted motion.