stoke
stohk
Stoke (verb) means to add fuel to a fire to keep it burning, or to feed a furnace. Example: “He stoked the fire before going to bed.”
verb
1
To add fuel to a fire to keep it burning, or to feed a furnace.
"He stoked the fire before going to bed."
"Every hour, the campers stoked the fire with fresh logs to keep warm."
"The old ship's crew stoked the furnace with coal day and night."
2
To encourage or intensify a feeling or situation.
"The rumors only stoked public anger further."
"The coach's harsh comments stoked the rivalry between the two teams."
"Don't stoke the argument by bringing up old complaints again."
How to use stoke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo feed a fire to keep it going, or figuratively to fuel a feeling like anger or excitement.
Common pairings
stoke the fire
stoke fears
stoke controversy
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Word forms
- Plural
- stokes
- Third person singular
- stokes
- Past tense
- stoked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ the fire before going to bed.
Etymology
From Middle Dutch stoken, "to poke or thrust," related to feeding a fire.
Related words
Rhymes for stoke
See all rhymes for stoke →Frequently asked questions
What does “stoke” mean?
The word “stoke” means to add fuel to a fire to keep it burning, or to feed a furnace. In plain terms, to feed a fire to keep it going, or figuratively to fuel a feeling like anger or excitement.
How do you pronounce “stoke”?
“Stoke” is pronounced stohk (/stoʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “stoke” in a sentence?
Here is “stoke” used in a sentence: “He stoked the fire before going to bed.”
What part of speech is “stoke”?
“Stoke” is a verb.
Where does the word “stoke” come from?
The word “stoke” comes from Dutch. From Middle Dutch stoken, "to poke or thrust," related to feeding a fire.
Is “stoke” a common word?
“Stoke” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “stoke” have?
“Stoke” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to add fuel to a fire to keep it burning, or to feed a furnace.
What is the difference between "stoke" and "fuel"?
"Stoke" specifically means to add fuel to a fire or furnace to keep it burning, while "fuel" more broadly means to supply any energy source, whether literal or figurative.
Can "stoke" be used figuratively?
Yes, "stoke" is commonly used figuratively to mean encouraging or intensifying a feeling or situation, as in "stoke excitement" or "stoke controversy."
What does it mean to be "stoked"?
Informally, "stoked" is an adjective meaning excited or enthusiastic, derived from the verb "stoke."
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