Straddle Meaning and Definition
Straddle
Pronunciation
/ˈstrædəl/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A position or state of having one’s legs, body, or feet on opposite sides of something, often used in reference to crossing or resting on something.
Examples
- The cyclist had to straddle the narrow path.
- He straddled the fence to inspect the damage.
Synonyms
- Span
- Reach
Antonyms
- Stand
- Rest
Etymology
The word ‘straddle’ originates from the Old Norse word ‘strid’, meaning ‘to stretch across’ or ‘to cover’, and is derived from the Proto-Germanic word ‘*striediz’, meaning ‘to spread out’ or ‘to cover).
Usage Notes
When using the word ‘straddle’, consider the context and the object or surface being referred to. The word is often used in physical or spatial senses, but can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or position.
Cultural References
The word ‘straddle’ has been used in various cultural references, including literature, music, and film. For example, in the novel ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, the character Zaphod Beeblebrox is described as straddling the time-space continuum.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To straddle the fence: to be indecisive or ambiguous.
- To straddle the line: to occupy a precarious or uncertain position.
Related Words or Phrases
- Span
- Reach
- Stride
Collocations
- Straddle the road
- Straddle the river
- Straddle the line
Frequency of Use
According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, ‘straddle’ is a relatively rare word, with a frequency of 0.0029 per million words.
Common Misspellings
- Straddel
- Straddell