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Straightforward vs Cryptic - What's the difference?

straightforward | cryptic |

As adjectives the difference between straightforward and cryptic

is that straightforward is proceeding in a straight course or manner; not deviating; honest; frank while cryptic is having hidden meaning.

As an adverb straightforward

is in a straightforward manner.

As a noun cryptic is

(informal) a cryptic crossword.

straightforward

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Proceeding in a straight course or manner; not deviating; honest; frank.
  • * 1992 , George J. Church, "Why Voters Don't Trust Clinton," Time , 20 Apr, p. 38,
    • A great deal of the uneasiness about Clinton reflects his propensity to dance away from straightforward yes or no answers to any character question.
  • easy, simple, without difficulty
  • * 2013 , Daniel Taylor, Steven Gerrard goal against Poland ensures England will go to World Cup'' (in ''The Guardian , 15 October 2013)[http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/15/england-poland-world-cup-qualifier]
    • Poland played with great energy, quick to the ball, strong in the challenge, and projecting the clear sense they had absolutely no intention whatsoever of making this a straightforward night.

    Derived terms

    * straightforwardly * straightforwardness * unstraightforward

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In a straightforward manner.

    • cryptic

    English

    (wikipedia cryptic)

    Alternative forms

    * cryptick (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having hidden meaning.
  • Mystified or of an obscure nature.
  • * Glanvill
    • Her [nature's] more cryptic ways of working.
  • Involving use of code or cipher/cypher.
  • (zoology) Well camouflaged; having good camouflage.
    • Lonomia caterpillars are extremely cryptic .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (informal) A cryptic crossword.
  • * 1996 , Mary McCarthy, Remember Me (page 85)
    • He settled down to the cryptic in the Independent . He loved his crossword. It kept him mentally active, just as gossip did his wife.
  • * 2009 , Bill Taylor, Building a crossword'' (in ''Toronto Star , 1 February 2009)
    • This writer has been solving cryptics for 40 years and can usually crack Araucaria, though it might take a couple of days.

    Derived terms

    * cryptically * cryptogram