Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense strokes, present participle stroking, past tense, past participle stroked
1. verb
If you stroke someone or something, you move your hand slowly and gently over them.
Carla, curled up on the sofa, was stroking her cat. [VERB noun]
She walked forward and embraced him and stroked his tousled white hair. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: caress, rub, fondle, pat More Synonyms of stroke
2. countable noun [usually singular]
If someone has a stroke, a blood vessel in their brain bursts or becomes blocked, which may kill them or make them unable to move one side of their body.
He had a minor stroke in 1987, which left him partly paralysed.
Synonyms: apoplexy, fit, seizure, attack More Synonyms of stroke
3. countable noun [usually plural]
The strokes of a pen or brush are the movements or marks that you make with it when you are writing orpainting.
Fill in gaps by using short, upward strokes of the pencil.
Synonyms: mark, line, slash More Synonyms of stroke
4. countable noun [usually plural]
When you are swimming or rowing, your strokes are the repeated movements that you make with your arms or the oars.
I turned and swam a few strokes further out to sea.
The boatmen accompany the stroke of their oars with the sound of their voices.
Synonyms: movement, action, motion More Synonyms of stroke
5. countable noun [usually singular]
A swimming stroke is a particular style or method of swimming.
She spent hours practising the breast stroke.
6. countable noun
The strokes of a clock are the sounds that indicate each hour.
On the stroke of 12, fireworks suddenly exploded into the night.
Synonyms: chime, striking, ring, knell More Synonyms of stroke
7. countable noun
In sports such as tennis, baseball, cricket, and golf, a stroke is the action of hitting the ball.
Compton was sending the ball here, there, and everywhere with each stroke.
Synonyms: blow, hit, knock, pat More Synonyms of stroke
8. singular noun
A stroke of luck or good fortune is something lucky that happens.
It didn't rain, which turned out to be a stroke of luck. [+ of]
9. singular noun
A stroke of genius or inspiration is a very good idea that someone suddenly has.
At the time, his appointment seemed a stroke of genius. [+ of]
Synonyms: feat, move, achievement, accomplishment More Synonyms of stroke
10.
See at a stroke
11.
See do a stroke
stroke in British English
(strəʊk)
noun
1.
the act or an instance of striking; a blow, knock, or hit
2.
a sudden action, movement, or occurrence
a stroke of luck
3.
a brilliant or inspired act or feat
a stroke of genius
4. pathology
apoplexy; rupture of a blood vessel in the brain resulting in loss of consciousness, often followed by paralysis, or embolism or thrombosis affecting a cerebral vessel
5.
a.
the striking of a clock
b.
the hour registered by the striking of a clock
on the stroke of three
6.
a mark, flourish, or line made by a writing implement
7.
another name for solidus, used esp when dictating or reading aloud
8.
a light touch or caress, as with the fingers
9.
a pulsation, esp of the heart
10.
a single complete movement or one of a series of complete movements
11. sport
the act or manner of striking the ball with a racket, club, bat, etc
12.
any one of the repeated movements used by a swimmer to propel himself or herself through the water
13.
a manner of swimming, esp one of several named styles such as the crawl or butterfly
14.
a.
any one of a series of linear movements of a reciprocating part, such as a piston
b.
the distance travelled by such a part from one end of its movement to the other
15.
a single pull on an oar or oars in rowing
16.
manner or style of rowing
17.
the oarsman who sits nearest the stern of a shell, facing the cox, and sets the rate of striking for the rest of the crew
18. US informal
a compliment or comment that enhances a person's self-esteem
19. (modifier) slang, mainly US
pornographic; masturbatory
stroke magazines
20. a stroke
21. off one's stroke
22. on the stroke of
verb
23. (transitive)
to touch, brush, or caress lightly or gently
24. (transitive)
to mark a line or a stroke on or through
25.
to act as the stroke of (a racing shell)
26. (transitive) sport
to strike (a ball) with a smooth swinging blow
27. (transitive) US and Canadian informal
to handle or influence (someone) with care, using persuasion, flattery, etc
Word origin
Old English strācian; related to Middle Low German strēken; see strike
stroke in American English
(stroʊk)
noun
1.
a striking of one thing against another; blow or impact of an ax, whip, etc.
2.
a.
a sudden action resulting in a powerful or destructive effect, as if from a blow
a stroke of lightning
b.
a sudden occurrence, often a pleasant one
a stroke of luck
3.
a sudden cerebrovascular failure usually caused by arteriosclerosis, hypertension, embolism, or hemorrhage and resulting variously in impaired vision and speech, coma, convulsions, paralysis, etc.
4.
a.
a single effort to do, produce, or accomplish something, esp. a successful effort
b.
something accomplished by such an effort; feat
c.
a distinctive effect or touch in an artistic, esp. literary, work
5.
the sound of striking, as of a clock
6.
a.
a single movement, as with some tool, club, racquet, etc.
a stroke of the pen, a backhand stroke in tennis
b.
any of a series of repeated rhythmic motions made against water, air, etc.
the stroke of a swimmer, rower, etc.
c.
a type, manner, or rate of such movement
a slow stroke
7.
a mark made by or as by a pen or similar marking tool
8.
a beat of the heart
9.
a gentle, caressing motion with the hand
10. [pl.]; Informal
praise, flattery, etc. offered to reassure, influence, persuade, etc.
11. Golf
a scoring unit used to record each time the ball is hit with the head of a club
12. Mechanics
any of a series of continuous, often reciprocating, movements; specif., a single movement of a piston from oneend of its range to the other, constituting a half revolution of the engine
13. Rowing
a.
the rower who sits nearest the stern and sets the rate of rowing for the others
b.
the position occupied by this rower
verb transitiveWord forms: stroked or ˈstroking
14.
to draw one's hand, a tool, etc. gently over the surface of, as in caressing or smoothing
15.
to mark with strokes or draw a line through
often with out
16.
to hit; esp., to hit (a ball) in playing tennis, golf, pool, etc.
17.
to set the rate of rowing for (a crew) or for the crew of (a boat)
18. Informal
to flatter, pay special attention to, etc. in an effort to influence, reassure, persuade, etc.
19. Slang
to masturbate
said of a man
verb intransitive
20.
to hit a ball in playing tennis, golf, etc.
21.
to act as stroke (for) in rowing
adjective
22. Slang
of or for masturbating
a stroke book
Idioms:
keep stroke
Word origin
ME, akin to Ger streich, a stroke, OE strican: see strike
stroke in Automotive Engineering
(stroʊk)
Word forms: (regular plural) strokes
noun
(Automotive engineering: Vehicle components, Engine, transmission, and exhaust)
A stroke is one complete back-and-forth movement of a piston in its cylinder bore.
There are four valves per cylinder, and the stroke is longer than most other engines.
A very small distance normally exists between exhaust valves and pistons when theyare at the top of their stroke.
Under full throttle, fuel is squirted into the cylinder as the piston is fallingon the intake stroke.
Latin American Spanish: ataque apoplejía, derrame cerebral
Swedish: slag
Thai: การอุดตันของเส้นโลหิตที่ไปเลี้ยงสมอง
Turkish: okşama
Ukrainian: удар
Vietnamese: đột quỵ
British English: stroke /strəʊk/ VERB
If you stroke someone or something, you move your hand slowly and gently over them.
She was stroking her cat.
American English: stroke
Arabic: يـُمَلِّسُ
Brazilian Portuguese: acariciar
Chinese: 抚摸
Croatian: gladiti
Czech: hladit
Danish: ae ae
Dutch: strelen
European Spanish: acariciar
Finnish: sivellä
French: caresser
German: streicheln
Greek: χαϊδεύω
Italian: accarezzare
Japanese: なでる
Korean: 쓰다듬다
Norwegian: stryke klappe
Polish: pogłaskać
European Portuguese: acariciar
Romanian: a mângâia
Russian: гладить рукой
Latin American Spanish: acariciar
Swedish: klappa
Thai: สัมผัสหรือลูบคลำ
Turkish: okşamak
Ukrainian: гладити
Vietnamese: vuốt ve
All related terms of 'stroke'
a stroke
a small amount of work
dead-stroke
relating to a stroke made that has no kickback or reverberation
four-stroke
relating to or designating an internal-combustion engine in which the piston makes four strokes for every explosion
hair stroke
a very fine line in a written character
heat stroke
Heat stroke is the same as → sunstroke .
keep stroke
to make strokes in rhythm
stroke oar
the oar set nearest the stern of a boat
stroke play
scoring by counting the number of strokes taken
two-stroke
relating to or designating an internal-combustion engine whose piston makes two strokes for every explosion
breast stroke
a swimming stroke performed face down in which both arms are extended outward and sideways from a position close to the chest , while the legs engage in a frog kick
firing stroke
The firing stroke is the stroke of an engine in which the fuel is burned and energy sent to the piston .
ground stroke
any return made to a ball that has touched the ground, as opposed to a volley
return stroke
the main discharge in a lightning stroke
at a stroke
If something happens at a stroke or in one stroke , it happens suddenly and completely because of one single action.
do a stroke
If someone does not do a stroke of work, they are very lazy and do no work at all.
exhaust stroke
(in a reciprocating engine) the stroke of a piston in a four-stroke cycle that pushes the burnt gases out as exhaust
penalty stroke
a stroke added to a score for a rule infraction
scavenge stroke
(in a reciprocating engine) the stroke of a piston in a four-stroke cycle that pushes the burnt gases out as exhaust
trudgen stroke
a swimming stroke in which a double overarm motion and a scissors kick are used
butterfly stroke
a swimming stroke in which the arms are plunged forward together in large circular movements
compression stroke
The compression stroke is the stroke in an engine in which the air or air/ fuel mixture is compressed before ignition .
induction stroke
The induction stroke is the stroke of the piston in an internal combustion engine in which working fluid is drawn into the cylinder .
lightning stroke
a discharge of lightning between a cloud and the earth, esp one that causes damage
Sheffer's stroke
a function of two sentences , equivalent to the negation of their conjunction , and written p | q ( p and q are both not true ) where p,q, are the arguments : p | q is false only when p,q are both true. It is possible to construct all truth functions out of this one alone
bore-stroke ratio
The bore-stroke ratio is the ratio of bore to stroke . A ratio of 1:1 is referred to informally as square .
four-stroke cycle
A four-stroke cycle is the cycle of engine operation which requires four strokes of the piston : for induction , compression , ignition , and exhaust .
off one's stroke
performing or working less well than usual
on the stroke of
punctually at
two-stroke cycle
A two-stroke cycle is the cycle of engine operation in which the induction , compression , ignition , and exhaust stroke take place within one revolution of the engine.
heatstroke
a condition resulting from prolonged exposure to intense heat , characterized by high fever and in severe cases convulsions and coma
brushstroke
Brushstrokes are the marks made on a surface by a painter's brush.
put someone off their stroke
to stop someone from concentrating on what they are doing, so that they do not do it as well as usual
Chinese translation of 'stroke'
stroke
(strəuk)
n(c)
(= blow) 击(擊) (jī)
(in swimming)
(= single movement) 两(兩)臂划水一周 (liǎngbì huáshuǐ yī zhōu)
(= style) 泳姿 (yǒngzī)
(Med) 中风(風) (zhòngfēng) (次, cì)
(Tennis, Cricket, Golf) 击(擊)球 (jīqíu)
[of clock]鸣(鳴)响(響) (míngxiǎng)
[of paintbrush, pen]笔(筆)划(劃) (bǐhuà)
vt
[person, animal]抚(撫)摸 (fǔmō)
at a stroke, in one stroke一下子 (yīxiàzi)
a stroke of luck好运(運) (hǎoyùn)
on the stroke of midnight子时(時) (zǐshí)
a 2-stroke engine双(雙)冲(衝)程发(發)动(動)机(機) (shuāngchōngchéng fādòngjī)
All related terms of 'stroke'
a stroke of luck
好运(運) hǎoyùn
a 2-stroke engine
双(雙)冲(衝)程发(發)动(動)机(機) shuāngchōngchéng fādòngjī
a stroke of genius
天才之举(舉) tiāncái zhījǔ
at a stroke, in one stroke
一下子 yīxiàzi
on the stroke of midnight
子时(時) zǐshí
(verb)
Definition
to touch or brush lightly or gently
She was absentmindedly stroking her cat.
Synonyms
caress
They kissed and caressed one another.
rub
He rubbed his arms and stiff legs.
fondle
He took the child from her mother and fondled her.
pat
She patted me on the knee.
pet
A woman sat petting a cocker spaniel.
1 (noun)
Definition
rupture of a blood vessel in the brain resulting in loss of consciousness, often followed by paralysis and damage to speech
He had a minor stroke, which left him partly paralysed.
Synonyms
apoplexy
In 1685, Charles II died of apoplexy.
fit
Once a fit has started there's nothing you can do to stop it.
seizure
I was prescribed drugs to control seizures.
attack
It brought on an attack of asthma.
shock
He was found beaten and in shock.
collapse
2 (noun)
Definition
a mark made by a pen or paintbrush
Fill in gaps by using short, upward strokes of the pencil.
Synonyms
mark
The dogs rub against the walls and make dirty marks.
line
Draw a line down the centre of the page.
slash
3 (noun)
I turned and swam a few strokes further out to sea.
Synonyms
movement
I could watch your every movement.
action
Her description of the action of poisons is very accurate.
motion
the laws governing light, sound and motion
4 (noun)
Definition
the striking of a clock
On the stroke of 12, fireworks suddenly exploded into the night.
Synonyms
chime
the chime of the station clock
striking
ring
There was a ring of the bell.
knell
the knell of a passing bell
peal
the great peals of the Abbey bells
ding dong
5 (noun)
Definition
a blow, knock, or hit
He was sending the ball into the net with each stroke.
Synonyms
blow
He went off to hospital after a blow to the face.
hit
a hit on the head
knock
He had taken a knock on the head in training.
pat
He gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
rap
There was a light rap on the door.
thump
He felt a thump on his shoulder.
swipe (informal)
He gave Andrew a swipe on the ear.
6 (noun)
At the time, his appointment seemed a stroke of genius.
Synonyms
feat
an incredible feat of agility
move
The cut in interest rates was a wise move.
achievement
a conference celebrating women's achievements
accomplishment
The accomplishments of the past year are quite extraordinary.
movement
phrase
See at a stroke
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accomplishment
Definition
something successfully completed
The accomplishments of the past year are quite extraordinary.
Synonyms
achievement,
feat,
attainment,
act,
stroke,
triumph,
coup,
exploit,
deed
in the sense of achievement
Definition
something that has been accomplished by hard work, ability, or heroism
a conference celebrating women's achievements
Synonyms
accomplishment,
effort,
feat,
deed,
stroke,
triumph,
coup,
exploit,
act,
attainment,
feather in your cap
in the sense of action
Her description of the action of poisons is very accurate.
Synonyms
effect,
working,
work,
force,
power,
process,
effort,
operation,
activity,
movement,
influence,
functioning,
motion,
exertion
Synonyms of 'stroke'
stroke
Explore 'stroke' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of attack
Definition
any sudden appearance of a disease or symptoms
It brought on an attack of asthma.
Synonyms
bout,
fit,
access,
spell,
stroke,
seizure,
spasm,
convulsion,
paroxysm
in the sense of fit
Definition
a sudden attack or convulsion, such as an epileptic seizure
Once a fit has started there's nothing you can do to stop it.
Synonyms
seizure,
attack,
bout,
spasm,
convulsion,
paroxysm
in the sense of fondle
Definition
to touch or stroke tenderly
He took the child from her mother and fondled her.
Synonyms
caress,
pet,
cuddle,
touch gently,
pat,
stroke,
dandle
in the sense of hit
Definition
a shot or blow that reaches its target
a hit on the head
Synonyms
blow,
knock,
stroke,
belt (informal),
rap,
slap,
bump,
smack,
clout (informal),
cuff,
swipe (informal),
wallop (informal)
in the sense of knell
Definition
the sound of a bell rung to announce a death or a funeral
the knell of a passing bell
Synonyms
ring,
sound,
toll,
chime,
clang,
peal
in the sense of knock
He had taken a knock on the head in training.
Synonyms
blow,
hit,
punch,
crack (informal),
belt (informal),
clip,
slap,
bash,
smack,
thump,
clout (informal),
cuff,
box
in the sense of line
Definition
a continuous length without breadth
Draw a line down the centre of the page.
Synonyms
stroke,
mark,
rule,
score,
bar,
band,
channel,
dash,
scratch,
slash,
underline,
streak,
stripe,
groove
in the sense of motion
Definition
the process of continual change in the position of an object
the laws governing light, sound and motion
Synonyms
movement,
action,
mobility,
passing,
travel,
progress,
flow,
passage,
locomotion,
motility,
kinesics
in the sense of move
Definition
one of a sequence of actions, usually part of a plan
The cut in interest rates was a wise move.
Synonyms
ploy,
action,
measure,
step,
trick,
initiative,
stroke,
tactic,
manoeuvre,
deed,
dodge,
tack,
ruse,
gambit,
stratagem
in the sense of pat
Definition
to tap (someone or something) lightly with the hand
She patted me on the knee.
Synonyms
stroke,
touch,
tap,
pet,
slap,
dab,
caress,
fondle
Additional synonyms
in the sense of pat
Definition
a gentle tap or stroke
He gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
Synonyms
tap,
stroke,
slap,
clap,
dab,
light blow
in the sense of peal
Definition
a long loud echoing sound, such as of bells or thunder
the great peals of the Abbey bells
Synonyms
ring,
sound,
ringing,
clamour,
chime,
clang,
carillon,
tintinnabulation
in the sense of pet
Definition
to pat or stroke affectionately
A woman sat petting a cocker spaniel.
Synonyms
fondle,
pat,
stroke,
caress
in the sense of rap
Definition
a sharp quick blow or the sound produced by it
There was a light rap on the door.
Synonyms
blow,
knock,
crack (informal),
tap,
clout (informal)
in the sense of ring
Definition
a sound produced by or sounding like a bell
There was a ring of the bell.
Synonyms
chime,
toll,
jingle,
ding,
tinkle,
knell,
peal,
dinging
in the sense of rub
Definition
to apply pressure and friction to (something) with a circular or backwards-and-forwards movement
He rubbed his arms and stiff legs.
Synonyms
stroke,
smooth,
massage,
caress,
knead
in the sense of seizure
Definition
a sudden violent attack of an illness, such as an epileptic convulsion