What does stripe mean?
A stripe is a long, narrow band, line, or mark that differs from the surface around it. Stripes may be distinguished by colour, texture, brightness, or shape, as in a flag, road marking, garment, animal's coat, or pattern on a wall. The word can also refer more broadly to an elongated band of light or colour, and in formal military contexts to a decoration worn on a uniform. As a verb, 'to stripe' means to mark or divide something with stripes, as in a designer who striped a fabric in two colours. Stripe is used in British and American English and can be literal, descriptive, or occasionally figurative, especially when work or resources are divided among several people or functions. Its usefulness lies in capturing the idea of a distinct, narrow band that creates contrast and makes a larger surface legible.
A long, narrow band or line, especially one distinguished by colour, texture, or pattern.
"A single stripe ran across the otherwise plain shirt."
Also used for a road marking, an elongated band of light or colour, and a military decoration.
To mark something with stripes or arrange it in parallel bands.
"They striped the box with alternating colours."
In figurative business usage, it can mean to divide work or resources among separate people or functions.
The standard plural of the noun is 'stripes,' as in 'the tiger had orange and black stripes.'
"The train passed beside several long stripes of newly planted grass."
A stripe may be painted on a wall, woven into a flag, or painted down a road: the word turns any narrow band into something that catches the eye.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stripe come from?
The English noun is recorded from Middle English, where it referred to a band, line, or streak. Its deeper history is commonly connected with Germanic words for a line or narrow band, reflected in related forms in Dutch and German. The verb developed from the noun and came to mean 'to mark with stripes' or 'to arrange in bands.' The wider word family also has connections with Latin forms such as stria, 'furrow' or 'groove,' and related derivatives.
Related word forms
How stripe is actually used
The noun is common in British and American English. In formal contexts, 'stripe' often suggests a narrow, clearly defined band; in technical contexts, it may refer to a specific mark on a road, garment, material, or body. The verb is also used figuratively in business and project-management language for distributing work or resources in separate parts.
Easily confused with stripe
A stripe is usually a visible band or mark on a surface, whereas a strip is a long, narrow piece of material or area.
A stripe is a general band or line, while a stria is a fine groove, ridge, or line, especially in geology or anatomy.