stroke
strohk
Stroke (noun) means a sudden loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which can cause lasting damage or death. Example: “The doctor explained that a stroke happens when blood cannot reach part of the brain.”
noun
1
A sudden loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which can cause lasting damage or death.
"The doctor explained that a stroke happens when blood cannot reach part of the brain."
"After her stroke, my aunt needed months of therapy to speak clearly again."
"He suffered a stroke in his early sixties but made a strong recovery."
2
A single movement of a tool, brush, oar, or limb, or the mark it leaves.
"With one smooth stroke of the oar, she pushed the boat away."
"She finished the painting with a few final brush strokes."
"His powerful swimming strokes carried him ahead of the field."
3
A stretch of good luck or a single impressive achievement.
"Finding a parking space right outside the door was a stroke of luck."
"Hiring her was a stroke of genius that saved the whole project."
"Winning the contract was a real stroke of luck."
verb
1
To move a hand or object gently across a surface.
"He gently stroked the sleeping baby's hair."
"The little girl stroked the soft velvet cushion with her fingertips."
"She stroked the cat's fur as it curled up beside her."
How to use stroke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA medical emergency involving the brain's blood supply, or a single sweeping movement, or a lucky break.
Common mistake
A "stroke of luck" refers to good fortune, unrelated to the medical meaning — context makes it clear which is meant.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
have a stroke
stroke of luck
stroke of genius
brush stroke
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Word forms
- Plural
- strokes
- Third person singular
- strokes
- Past tense
- stroked
- Archaic forms
- strokest, strokedst, stroketh
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor explained that a _____ happens when blood cannot reach part of the brain.
Etymology
From Old English strac, related to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to rub, stroke, or strike" — the same root that gives "strike."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for stroke
See all rhymes for 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.
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