What does streaky mean?
Streaky is an adjective describing something marked by long lines, bands, or irregular patches. Its best-known use is in “streaky bacon,” referring to bacon with alternating layers of meat and fat. It can also describe a sky, clouds, paint, hair, or other surfaces marked with streaks. In figurative use, “streaky” means uneven or inconsistent: a team may have a streaky season, or a performer may display streaky form, alternating between strong and poor results. This use is especially common in informal British and American sports reporting, though it is readily understood everywhere. The word is related to “streak,” which can denote either a visible line or a sustained run of success or failure. Compared with the more neutral “variable” or “uneven,” “streaky” often carries a slightly evaluative implication, suggesting fluctuation rather than deliberate regularity. Its vivid imagery makes it useful whenever variation is best understood as a succession of contrasting bands or phases.
adjectiveMarked with streaks or bands; especially of bacon, containing alternating layers of meat and fat. By extension, uneven or variable in quality, performance, or development.
- Marked with or consisting of streaks or bands.
- Of bacon: containing alternating layers of meat and fat.
- Uneven or variable in quality, performance, or development.
"The evening sky was streaky with bands of gold and violet."
"Dark, streaky clouds moved across the afternoon sky."
"The team had a streaky season, winning several matches but losing others in quick succession."
In the familiar British phrase “streaky bacon,” the word celebrates the alternating layers of meat and fat that give the rashers their distinctive marbling.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does streaky come from?
Streaky is an English adjective formed from “streak” with the suffix “-y,” meaning marked with streaks. “Streak” comes through Middle English from Latin “stria,” meaning a groove or furrow, which is related to Greek “striē,” “furrow” or “stripe.” The same Latin root produced English words such as “striate” and “striation.”
Related word forms
How streaky is actually used
The literal sense is standard in British and American English and is particularly familiar from the phrase “streaky bacon.” The figurative sense, meaning uneven or inconsistent, is more informal than “erratic,” “uneven,” or “inconsistent” and is often used of results, form, or performance.
Easily confused with streaky
A streak is a noun or verb referring to a line, mark, or extended run, whereas streaky is the adjective describing something marked with streaks or showing unevenness.