streep: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowRare/Archaic/Technical
Quick answer
What does “streep” mean?
(chiefly informal, rare) A very thin or faint line, stripe, or mark.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(chiefly informal, rare) A very thin or faint line, stripe, or mark.
To mark with a very fine line or stripe; to make a slight line.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both variants. Slightly more historical attestation in British texts.
Connotations
May carry a slightly literary or technical nuance due to its rarity. Often perceived as an obscure word.
Frequency
Effectively unused in contemporary speech. Dictionaries that list it often mark it as archaic.
Grammar
How to Use “streep” in a Sentence
Noun: a ~ of [something]Verb (transitive): to ~ [something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “streep” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The artist decided to streep the canvas with a single, fine line of gold.
- On the old map, they would streep the minor footpaths in light grey.
American English
- She used a sharp pencil to streep a guideline down the margin.
- The early surveyors would streep provisional boundaries on their drafts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually non-existent.
Academic
Possible in historical literature studies or specific technical descriptions.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be used.
Technical
Could appear in heraldry, cartography (for fine lines), or detailed artistic descriptions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “streep”
- Using it in place of the common word 'stripe'.
- Assuming it is a standard modern term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and archaic word. Most native speakers will not know it.
No. 'Stripe' is the standard, common word for a long, narrow band. Using 'streep' would cause confusion, as it implies a much finer, often fainter line and is not part of active vocabulary.
Yes, they are etymologically related, both deriving from Middle English and related to the idea of a line or strip. 'Streep' represents a specific, fine variant that fell out of use.
Comprehensive dictionaries aim to document the historical and full lexicon of a language, including archaic and obsolete terms for the sake of scholarship, literature analysis, and understanding language evolution.
(chiefly informal, rare) A very thin or faint line, stripe, or mark.
Streep is usually rare/archaic/technical in register.
Streep: in British English it is pronounced /striːp/, and in American English it is pronounced /strip/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a very thin 'stripe' - a 'streep' is like a stripe that's been stretched thin.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LINE IS A THREAD; A MARK IS AN ETCHING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest modern synonym for the noun 'streep'?