What does strip mean?
Strip most commonly means to remove a covering or outer layer from something: a worker may strip paint from a wall, or a person may strip off protective clothing. The phrase “strip something of something” means to remove or take away that thing, as in “strip the room of clutter.” In its other verb senses, strip can mean to search a person or place, especially informally, or to remove something’s valuable or useful contents. As a noun, a strip is a long, narrow piece of material, such as a strip of paper, fabric, or land. Other established noun senses include a sequence of drawings and a performer who presents in revealing stage costumes. The word is especially useful in constructions involving removal, separation, and narrowness, but its wording can become suggestive when it refers to undressing or bodily exposure.
To remove a covering, clothing, outer layer, or useful material from something; to take something away; to search someone or somewhere.
"The investigators stripped the warehouse of all useful evidence."
“Strip someone of something” is a standard construction. The search sense is informal, while references to removing clothing can be euphemistic or vulgar depending on context.
A long, narrow piece of material or an area of land; also a sequence of drawings or a performer in a nightclub-style stage show.
"She cut the wrapping paper into narrow strips."
When referring to a performer, “strip” can be humorous or euphemistic and is often more directly associated with “strip club,” “strip show,” or “stripper.”
Used for separate narrow pieces of material, parallel strips of land, or sequences of images.
"The artist placed strips of gold leaf across the dark background."
One small word can mean a narrow band of material, an open area of land, or the act of removing everything that covers something.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strip come from?
The word comes from Old English strypan, meaning “to strip off” or “to divest,” with the noun “strip” developing later in English. Its earliest uses belonged to the Germanic language family, although the precise origin of the underlying root is uncertain. The verb originally described removing clothing or another covering, and later acquired extended senses involving taking possessions away, removing useful contents, and searching.
Related word forms
How strip is actually used
The phrase “strip someone of something” means to take something away from them. “Strip” can refer to removing clothing or body hair, but in such contexts it may sound euphemistic, humorous, or vulgar depending on the audience. The verb “strip” also has the informal sense of searching someone or somewhere.
Easily confused with strip
A stripe is a decorative band on a surface, whereas a strip is a long, narrow piece of material or an area of land.
A steak is a cut of meat, while a strip is an elongated piece of something such as fabric, paper, or bacon.