stroke
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for stroke, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sudden loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which can cause lasting damage or death.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use stroke
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English strac, related to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to rub, stroke, or strike" — the same root that gives "strike."
Full origin of stroke →Frequently asked questions
What does “stroke” mean?
The word “stroke” means a sudden loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which can cause lasting damage or death. In plain terms, a medical emergency involving the brain's blood supply, or a single sweeping movement, or a lucky break.
How do you pronounce “stroke”?
“Stroke” is pronounced strohk (/stɹoʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “stroke” in a sentence?
Here is “stroke” used in a sentence: “He suffered a stroke in his early sixties but made a strong recovery.”
What part of speech is “stroke”?
Depending on how it is used, “stroke” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “stroke” come from?
The word “stroke” comes from Old English. From Old English strac, related to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to rub, stroke, or strike" — the same root that gives "strike.".
Is “stroke” a common word?
“Stroke” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “stroke” have?
“Stroke” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which can cause lasting damage or death.
What is the difference between a stroke and a heart attack?
A stroke is a sudden loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which can cause lasting damage or death. A heart attack, by contrast, affects blood flow to the heart, so a stroke concerns the brain while a heart attack concerns the heart.
How can stroke mean both a medical event and a brush mark?
Stroke has separate noun senses. One is the medical event of a sudden loss of blood flow to the brain, and another is a single movement of a tool, brush, oar, or limb, or the mark it leaves. Context makes clear which is meant.