stripe

/straɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /straɪp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstrīp/ (ame, mw)

stripe — noun

  • stripesingular
  • stripesplural

1. a long, narrow band on a surface whose colour or texture is different from the a

1.名詞A2
釋義

a long, narrow band on a surface whose colour or texture is different from the area around it — for example, the lines on a zebra, the bands on a flag, or the pattern on a shirt.

例句

The curtains have thin white stripes on a pale blue background.

collocation: thin stripe / wide stripe

A tiger's stripes are different on each side of its body.

possessive: tiger's stripes

同義詞
  • band

    wider and often wraps around something; less precise for fabric patterns

  • line

    the most general term; can be any thin mark, not necessarily decorative or contrasting

  • streak

    suggests an irregular or accidental mark, not a deliberate pattern

文法句型

stripe + of + colour

plural: stripes (on/in + garment/surface)

用法筆記

Often used with adjectives of width and colour (thin, wide, diagonal, vertical, horizontal, pale, bright). Common in descriptions of clothing, flags, animals, and interior design.

常見錯誤

The zebra has black and white strips.
The zebra has black and white stripes.
💡'stripe' is a band of colour; 'strip' means a long narrow piece cut from something.

2. a cloth marking, often V-shaped, that is stitched to the upper arm of a soldier'

2.名詞B1
釋義

a cloth marking, often V-shaped, that is stitched to the upper arm of a soldier's or officer's uniform and signals the person's rank or time in service.

例句

Talia pointed to the gold stripes on her father's police uniform.

collocation: stripes on + uniform

Andrew sewed a new stripe onto his sleeve after his promotion.

同義詞
  • chevron

    a V-shaped stripe specifically; more technical than 'stripe'

  • insignia

    a broader term covering all badges and emblems of rank, not just stripes

  • badge

    a general term for a symbol worn on a uniform; not specific to sleeve markings

文法句型

number + stripe(s) + on + uniform/sleeve/shoulder

用法筆記

Primarily used in military and law-enforcement contexts. The number and shape of stripes indicate specific ranks. Also used figuratively in the idiom 'earn your stripes' (see idioms below).

常見錯誤

He wore a red stripe tie to the ceremony.
He wore a red striped tie to the ceremony.
💡'stripe' is a noun; use 'striped' as the adjective for patterned fabric.

3. a particular type, kind, or category, especially of people, opinions, or organis

3.名詞B2
釋義

a particular type, kind, or category, especially of people, opinions, or organisations — for example, politicians of different stripes or artists of all stripes.

例句

The festival attracted musicians of every stripe from around the country.

fixed phrase: of every stripe

People of all stripes came together to help after the earthquake.

fixed phrase: of all stripes

同義詞
  • kind

    the neutral, everyday word; 'stripe' is more formal and literary

  • sort

    similar to 'kind'; slightly informal; 'stripe' is less common and more emphatic

  • type

    standard and widely used; 'stripe' adds a rhetorical or journalistic flavour

  • ilk

    formal and often mildly dismissive; 'stripe' is more neutral in tone

文法句型

of + adjective + stripe

of all stripes

of every stripe

用法筆記

Almost always appears in fixed phrases ('of all stripes', 'of every stripe', 'of a different stripe'). The noun itself is rarely used freely — it depends on the 'of ... stripe' frame. Often modifies groups of people by opinion, profession, or background.

常見錯誤

I do not like that stripe of music.
I do not like that kind of music.
💡'stripe' in this sense is restricted to the fixed expression 'of + adjective + stripe'; it cannot replace 'kind' or 'type' freely.

stripe — verb