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adjective B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

striking

STREYE-kihng

Striking (adjective) means Very noticeable or impressive; making a strong visual or mental impression. Example: “She wore a striking red dress that turned heads at the party.”

adjective
1
Very noticeable or impressive; making a strong visual or mental impression.
"She wore a striking red dress that turned heads at the party."
"The resemblance between the two brothers is striking."
2
Currently taking part in a labor strike.
"The striking nurses demanded better staffing levels."

How to use striking

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEye-catching or impressive enough to grab your attention.

Common pairings
striking resemblance striking similarity striking image

Word forms

more striking comparative, strikings plural, most striking superlative

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Test yourself on “striking” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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She wore a _____ red dress that turned heads at the party.

Related words

Rhymes for striking

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Frequently asked questions

What does “striking” mean?

The word “striking” means very noticeable or impressive; making a strong visual or mental impression. In plain terms, eye-catching or impressive enough to grab your attention.

How do you pronounce “striking”?

“Striking” is pronounced STREYE-kihng (/ˈstɹaɪkɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “striking” in a sentence?

Here is “striking” used in a sentence: “She wore a striking red dress that turned heads at the party.”

What part of speech is “striking”?

“Striking” is an adjective.

Is “striking” a common word?

“Striking” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “striking” have?

“Striking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very noticeable or impressive; making a strong visual or mental impression.

What is the difference between "striking" and "stunning"?

"Striking" means very noticeable or impressive, making a strong visual or mental impression, and can describe something dramatic without necessarily being beautiful. "Stunning" usually implies great beauty or a powerful, almost overwhelming effect, so a striking building might be bold and unusual, while a stunning view is exceptionally beautiful.

What is the difference between "striking" and "strict"?

These words look similar but are unrelated. "Striking" means very noticeable or impressive, or taking part in a strike, while "strict" means demanding that rules are obeyed exactly, as in "a strict teacher." They are not interchangeable.

What nouns commonly go with "striking"?

"Striking" often appears in phrases such as "a striking resemblance," "a striking contrast," "a striking feature," and "striking colours." In each case it emphasises that the thing is strongly noticeable and leaves a strong impression.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial