stripe

¹

[strahyp]

noun

1. a relatively long, narrow band of a different color, appearance, weave, material, or nature from the rest of a surface or thing.

   the stripes of a zebra.

2. a fabric or material containing such a band or bands.

3. a strip of braid, tape, or the like.

4. stripes,

   1. a number or combination of such strips, worn on a military, naval, or other uniform as a badge of rank, service, good conduct, combat wounds, etc.

   2. Informal.,  status or recognition as a result of one's efforts, experience, or achievements.

      She earned her stripes as a traveling sales representative and then moved up to district manager.

5. a strip, or long, narrow piece of anything.

   a stripe of beach.

6. a streak or layer of a different nature within a substance.

7. style, variety, sort, or kind.

   a man of quite a different stripe.

8. Also called magnetic stripe. Movies.,  a strip of iron oxide layer on the edge of a film that is used for recording and reproducing a magnetic sound track.

verb (used with object)

striped, striping 

1. to mark or furnish with a stripe or stripes.

stripe

²

[strahyp]

noun

1. a stroke with a whip, rod, etc., as in punishment.

stripe

¹

/ straɪp /

noun

1. a relatively long band of distinctive colour or texture that differs from the surrounding material or background

2. a fabric having such bands

3. a strip, band, or chevron of fabric worn on a military uniform, etc, esp one that indicates rank

4. kind; sort; type

   a man of a certain stripe

verb

1. (tr) to mark with a stripe or stripes

stripe

²

/ straɪp /

noun

1. a stroke from a whip, rod, cane, etc

Other Word Forms

• stripeless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stripe¹

First recorded in 1620–30; probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German strīpe; strip ², stripe ²

Origin of stripe²

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English; obscurely akin to stripe ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stripe¹

C17: probably from Middle Dutch strīpe; related to Middle High German strīfe, of obscure origin

Origin of stripe²

C15: perhaps from Middle Low German strippe; related to _stripe ¹

Example Sentences

Touring orchestras of all stripes face a common dilemma regarding programming, and more often than not they choose familiarity over risk-taking.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Brendan: Especially without the playing background, I had to really earn my stripes as a coach.

Read more on BBC

It’s surely a given that lenders of all stripes are now taking a closer look at their own loan books and raising their standards on new ones.

Read more on Barron's

An American flag with its red stripes twisted into a swastika was reportedly displayed in the office during a Zoom call with one of Taylor’s staffers.

Read more on Salon

The video showed a tall, lean man wearing a sky-blue T-shirt, dark blue shorts and distinctive striped sandals like those worn by Bipin on the day he was abducted.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ribbon