Crossword Genius

Each street starts, ie one way and that’s the most straightforward (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

easiest

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'most straightforward' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are superlative adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'each street starts ie one way and that's the' is the wordplay.
'each' becomes 'ea' (abbreviation).
'starts' suggests taking the first letters.
'one way' becomes 's' (Compass direction - South).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'that's the' becomes 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects).
The initial letter of 'street' is 's'.
'ea'+'s'+'ie'+'s'+'t'='EASIEST'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for easiest that I've seen before include "Most simple" , "most like pie" , "Most effortless" , "Least difficult" , "Simplest" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.