straight edge

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straight edge

Where it comes from

The subculture takes the name from the 1981 song Straight Edge by the hardcore punk band Minor Threat. Compare straight (“not using alcohol, drugs, etc.”) attested since 1904.

noun straight edges

uncountable A lifestyle and subculture that advocates abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and the usage of recreational drugs.
Similar: sXe
countable One who follows this lifestyle.
alternative, countable Alternative form of straightedge (“a tool to check for straightness”).

adjective more straight edge · most straight edge

informal Living one's life opposing or eschewing the use of substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

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MLA

"straight edge." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/straight%20edge. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

straight edge. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/straight%20edge

Chicago

"straight edge." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/straight%20edge.

BibTeX

@misc{straight_edge_2026,
  title = {straight edge},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/straight%20edge},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}