streak
B1Common in all registers from informal to technical; 'streaking' (naked running) is informal/slang.
Definition
Meaning
A long, thin line or mark of a different colour or texture from its surroundings; a continuous period of specified success or luck.
An inherent or predominant characteristic in a person's nature, especially a contrasting one (a 'mean streak'); a short period of time during which one engages repeatedly in a particular activity (a 'gambling streak'); in informal contexts, to run naked in a public place as a prank or protest.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Balances concrete (visible line) and abstract (period of luck) meanings. Often implies an element of randomness or unpredictability, as in a 'lucky streak' or a 'streak of lightning'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The verb 'streak' (run naked) is understood in both, but the phenomenon was historically more named in AmE press. 'Winning streak' is equally common.
Connotations
Identical. A 'mean streak' or a 'streak of genius' have the same figurative force.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in AmE sports journalism ('a 5-game winning streak'), but negligible difference overall.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have/be on a [adj] streak[adj] streak of [noun] (e.g., streak of genius)streak [prep] (streak across the sky)streak [obj] (streak her hair)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Talk a blue streak”
- “Like a streak of lightning”
- “Have a yellow streak (cowardice)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a consistent run of performance, e.g., 'The company is on a profitable streak.'
Academic
Used in statistics ('a streak of positive results'), geology ('a mineral streak'), or describing a persistent tendency.
Everyday
Common for sports, luck, or personal habits, e.g., 'I'm on a cleaning streak.'
Technical
In physics/astronomy for trails of particles or meteors; in microbiology for a method of isolating cultures ('streak plate').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Tears began to streak her mascara.
- The jet streaked across the evening sky.
- He once streaked across the rugby pitch at university.
American English
- Sweat streaked the dust on his face.
- A comet streaked past Jupiter.
- After the championship, fans streaked down the main street.
adverb
British English
- The hare ran streak away into the woods. (archaic/poetic)
American English
- He went streak down the field for a touchdown. (informal)
adjective
British English
- She has streak-free glass cleaner.
- The cat was grey with streak-like markings.
American English
- Use a streak-resistant windshield solution.
- The miner tested the streak colour of the ore.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There is a yellow streak on the wall.
- The cat has a black streak on its back.
- Our team has a three-game winning streak.
- I hope my lucky streak continues.
- A sudden streak of lightning illuminated the entire valley.
- Beneath his calm exterior, he has a stubborn streak.
- The investor's prescient streak led to a series of lucrative acquisitions.
- Critics noted a misanthropic streak running through the author's later works.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STREAK of lightning – a sudden, brilliant, and fast line across the sky. This captures both the visual line and the temporary, intense nature of a 'hot streak' in sports.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/SUCCESS IS A LINEAR PATH (a winning streak); PERSONALITY IS A LAYERED SUBSTANCE (a mean streak).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'strike' (удар, забастовка).
- The 'run naked' meaning has no direct single-word equivalent; it's 'бегать голым публично'.
- Do not translate 'lucky streak' as 'полоса' in all contexts; 'серия везения' is better.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'strike' instead of 'streak' ('a winning strike').
- Misspelling as 'streek' or 'streke'.
- Using 'streak of' with non-contrasting characteristics (e.g., 'streak of kindness' is less common than 'streak of cruelty').
Practice
Quiz
In the context of personality, what does 'a streak of' typically imply?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While 'winning streak' and 'lucky streak' are common, you can have a 'losing streak', a 'streak of bad luck', or a negative personality trait like a 'mean streak' or 'streak of jealousy'.
A 'series' is neutral and structured. A 'streak' implies an unbroken, often remarkable or statistically unlikely, sequence, frequently related to luck or form. A 'series of games' is just a schedule; a 'winning streak' is notable.
Yes. 'To streak' means to move very swiftly in a specific direction, like a meteor streaking across the sky. This conveys high speed and a linear path.
It's informal and colloquial. The act is called 'streaking', and the person is a 'streaker'. It would be inappropriate in formal writing unless describing the historical or social phenomenon.
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