Strike Meaning
/stɹaɪk/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo delete or cross out; to scratch or eliminate.
verbTo have a sharp or sudden physical effect, as of a blow., To hit.
Sentence Examples
I have a good mind to strike you for being so rude.
The student center is a good place to strike up conversations.
The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The boxer tried to ____ his opponent with a punch.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The workers threatened to go on ____ if the management did not agree to a significant pay increase.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English stryken, from Old English strīcan, from Proto-West Germanic *strīkan, from Proto-Germanic *strīkaną, from Proto-Indo-European *streyg- (“to stroke, rub, press”). Cognate with Dutch strijken, German streichen, Danish stryge, Icelandic strýkja, strýkva.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…]he at Philippi kept / His ſword e’ne like a dancer, while I ſtrooke / The leane and wrinkled Caſſius,[…]"
— c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene xi], page 356, column 1:
"The 0812 Huddersfield-Sheffield service struck the stabiliser leg of a lorry being used to take away portable toilets after local repair work."
— 2021 December 29, “Network News: RAIB: tighten up supervision after 27mph train sideswipe incident”, in RAIL, number 947, page 8:
"And they ſhall take of the blood and ſtrike it on the two ſide poſtes,[…]"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 12:7, column 2:
"Who would be free themselves must strike the blow?"
— 1812, Lord Byron, “Canto II”, in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. A Romaunt, London: […] [F]or John Murray, […]; William Blackwood, Edinburgh; and John Cumming, Dublin; by Thomas Davison, […], →OCLC, stanza LXXV, page 102:
"Nay when? ſtrike now, or elſe the Iron cooles."
— 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 168, column 2:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The boxer tried to ____ his opponent with a punch.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The workers threatened to go on ____ if the management did not agree to a significant pay increase.