striking

IPA/ˈstraɪkɪŋ/
KK[strˈaɪkɪŋ]IPA/ˈstraɪkɪŋ/

striking — adjective

  • strikingpositive
  • more strikingcomparative
  • most strikingsuperlative

1. Something that is striking is so unusual, impressive, or different from what is

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

Something that is striking is so unusual, impressive, or different from what is normal that it catches your attention immediately.

Example

The most striking feature of the old church was its bright blue roof.

collocation: striking feature

Brooke noticed a striking difference between the two paintings in the gallery.

collocation: striking difference

Common collocations
  • striking feature
  • striking difference
  • striking similarity
  • striking contrast
  • striking example
  • striking resemblance
  • striking conclusion
Synonyms
  • noticeable

    less intense; simply means easy to see, without the sense of unusualness that striking carries

  • conspicuous

    more formal; often suggests something stands out in a way that is hard to ignore but may be negative or unwanted

  • eye-catching

    more informal; used especially for visual things like designs, colours, or advertisements

  • prominent

    emphasises position or importance rather than unusualness

Antonyms

Usage Note

Common in academic and descriptive writing. Frequently used before nouns expressing a comparison (difference, similarity, contrast, resemblance).

Common Mistakes

The dress was very striking red.
The dress was a striking shade of red.
'striking' is an adjective that describes a noun, not an intensifier for colours.
I was striking by the news.
The news was striking.' or 'I was struck by the news.
'striking' is an adjective; the verb form for personal reaction is 'struck'.

2. A person who is striking has an unusual and impressive physical beauty that is i

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

A person who is striking has an unusual and impressive physical beauty that is immediately noticeable and memorable.

Example

Nora has a striking face that photographers love to capture.

The woman at the counter was so striking that everyone turned to look.

predicative use: be + striking

Common collocations
  • striking face
  • striking eyes
  • striking looks
  • striking appearance
  • striking beauty
  • look striking
Synonyms
  • beautiful

    more general and common; does not carry the sense of unusual or memorable features

  • gorgeous

    more informal and intense; emphasises pure physical appeal rather than distinctiveness

  • handsome

    used especially for men or for women with strong, fine features

  • stunning

    similar intensity to striking, but more about shock or amazement than distinctiveness

Antonyms

Usage Note

Unlike 'beautiful' or 'handsome,' striking often suggests that the person's attractiveness comes from unusual or distinctive features rather than conventional good looks. Can be used for both men and women.

Common Mistakes

The sunset was striking.' (when meaning beautiful)
The sunset was beautiful/gorgeous.
'striking' for a person's unusual beauty; for landscapes and sunsets use other adjectives.
She is a striking woman and a striking singer.
She is a striking woman and a talented singer.
'striking' does not naturally extend to skills or personality.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something that draws attention, but they differ in intensity and connotation. 'Noticeable' is the most neutral and everyday term — a stain on a shirt is noticeable, but it is not striking. 'Conspicuous' is more formal and often carries a mildly negative tone, as in making a show of something that should be subtle. 'Eye-catching' is an informal word used mainly for visual things like design, colours, or packaging — it suggests deliberate design rather than natural distinctiveness. 'Prominent' focuses on position or importance rather than unusualness. 'Striking' sits between them in formality and carries the strongest sense of something being so unusual or impressive that it makes an immediate and lasting impression. For example: 'Her red hair was the most striking thing about her,' suggests something memorable, while 'the error was noticeable' simply means it could be seen.

noticeable ↗conspicuous ↗eye-catching ↗prominent ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • strikingly
  • particularly striking
  • most striking
  • especially striking

Phrases

  • strike the eye as striking
  • nothing could be more striking

Prepositions

  • striking in
  • striking for

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The adjective 'striking' developed from the verb 'strike', which comes from Old English 'strīcan' (to go, move, stroke). The verb's meaning of 'to hit' led to a figurative use in the 1600s: something that 'strikes the mind' or 'strikes the attention' — that is, an idea or image that hits you with force. By the 1700s, the adjective had settled into its modern meaning of something that is so unusual or impressive that it mentally 'hits' the observer.