stroke
A stroke is a single movement of a pen, brush, or hand across a surface. It can also refer to a sudden and serious medical condition in the brain.
Examples
3 of 5The cat likes a gentle stroke on its back.
The cat likes a gentle stroke on its back.
The patient is recovering well after a minor stroke.
The patient is recovering well after a minor stroke.
Winning that prize was a real stroke of luck!
Winning that prize was a real stroke of luck!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'S' in Stroke as a 'Smooth' movement of your hand or a pen.
Quick Quiz
The artist finished the painting with one last ______ of red color.
Correct!
The correct answer is: stroke
Examples
The cat likes a gentle stroke on its back.
everydayThe cat likes a gentle stroke on its back.
The patient is recovering well after a minor stroke.
formalThe patient is recovering well after a minor stroke.
Winning that prize was a real stroke of luck!
informalWinning that prize was a real stroke of luck!
The researcher examined every brush stroke on the old painting.
academicThe researcher examined every brush stroke on the old painting.
He signed the million-dollar contract with one stroke of the pen.
businessHe signed the million-dollar contract with one stroke of the pen.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
at the stroke of midnight
exactly at twelve o'clock at night
a stroke of genius
a very clever or original idea
different strokes for different folks
different people like different things
Often Confused With
A 'strike' is usually a hard hit or a work stoppage, while a 'stroke' is a gentle movement or a pen mark.
A 'stroll' is a slow, relaxed walk, while a 'stroke' is a movement of the hand or a medical event.
Usage Notes
Use 'stroke' as a noun when describing the way someone swims or paints. It is also the specific word for a medical emergency involving blood flow to the brain.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'strike' when they mean a gentle 'stroke' of an animal. Remember that 'stroke' is soft and 'strike' is hard.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'S' in Stroke as a 'Smooth' movement of your hand or a pen.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English word 'strac', meaning a blow or a physical movement.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, 'stroking' a pet like a dog or cat is considered a common way to relax and show affection.
Quick Quiz
The artist finished the painting with one last ______ of red color.
Correct!
The correct answer is: stroke
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free