strip
B2Neutral in most contexts; informal when referring to striptease or adult entertainment.
Definition
Meaning
To remove a covering or outer layer; or a long, narrow piece of something.
Can refer to depriving someone of something (e.g., rights), or a series of things such as in entertainment (e.g., comic strip), or a shopping area (e.g., strip mall).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions as both a verb (transitive and intransitive) and a noun, with meanings related to removal or elongation. Often used in phrasal verbs (e.g., strip down).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'strip mall' is a common term for a shopping center with stores in a row; in British English, this concept is often referred to as a 'retail park' or similar. 'Comic strip' is used in both, but 'strip' as a noun for a road (e.g., Las Vegas Strip) is more American.
Connotations
In both varieties, can have sexual connotations in contexts like 'strip club', but neutral in others like 'strip of land'.
Frequency
Verb usage is equally frequent; noun usage for specific terms like 'strip mall' is higher in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
strip somethingstrip something from somethingstrip someone of somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “strip search”
- “strip mall”
- “comic strip”
- “strip poker”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In retail, refers to a strip mall, a type of shopping center with stores aligned in a row.
Academic
In geography or environmental studies, can denote a narrow strip of land or vegetation.
Everyday
Common in domestic contexts, e.g., stripping beds or using a strip of tape.
Technical
In engineering or mining, strip mining involves removing surface layers to access resources.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He stripped the old wallpaper from the lounge walls.
- The mechanic stripped down the engine for inspection.
American English
- She stripped the sheets off the bed after the guests left.
- They stripped the paint from the deck using a sander.
adverb
British English
- He peeled the label strip by strip to avoid damage.
- The fabric was torn strip after strip for the craft project.
American English
- She cut the paper strip by strip with precision.
- The old posters were removed strip after strip from the wall.
adjective
British English
- The strip lighting in the hospital corridor was too harsh.
- He bought a strip map for the road trip.
American English
- They visited a strip club in downtown LA.
- The strip mall had a variety of stores and eateries.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I need a strip of paper to wrap this gift.
- Can you strip the bed? The sheets need washing.
- He decided to strip the paint from the wooden fence.
- A comic strip in the newspaper made her laugh.
- The company was stripped of its license due to violations.
- They walked along the strip of beach that was still accessible.
- The investigation stripped away the layers of deception in the case.
- Geologists identified a mineral-rich strip in the mountain range.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'STrip' as 'STart to RIP' off layers, helping recall the removal meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
Removal as stripping away layers to reveal truth or core, often used metaphorically for exposing hidden aspects.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- May confuse with 'стрип' (striptease), but 'strip' has broader meanings like 'полоса' for a strip of land.
- Verb 'раздевать' corresponds to undress, but 'strip' can also mean to deprive or remove inanimate objects.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'strip' with 'stripe', which means a line or band (e.g., tiger stripes).
- Using 'strip' as a noun when 'stripe' is intended for patterned lines.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'strip mall' typically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Strip' can be a verb meaning to remove or a noun for a long, narrow piece, while 'stripe' is a noun for a line or band, often in patterns.
Not inherently; it is neutral in most contexts (e.g., 'strip of land'), but can be informal or euphemistic in references to striptease (e.g., 'strip club').
Usage is largely similar, but American English more frequently uses 'strip mall' for a shopping area, while British English might use 'retail park'. 'Comic strip' is common in both.
Rarely as a standalone adjective; it is typically part of compound nouns like 'strip lighting' or 'strip search', where it modifies another noun.