What does striped mean?
Striped is an adjective meaning marked with stripes, or decorated in a pattern of contrasting bands or lines. It is commonly used for clothing and textiles, such as a striped shirt or striped trousers, but it can describe anything with a banded appearance, including animals, walls, and natural formations. The word usually appears before the noun it modifies, though it can also function predicatively, as in 'the fish were striped.' Its basic meaning is descriptive and carries no strong positive or negative connotation. Although a striped object can be visually striking, that effect is conveyed by context rather than by the word itself. The related noun 'stripe' refers to one of the bands, while the broader family includes 'stripes' and 'striping.'
adjectiveHaving or marked with stripes; distinguished by alternating bands or lines of color.
- Having stripes or alternating bands of color.
- Characterized by a repeated linear pattern that creates bands, divisions, or a marked appearance.
"She wore a striped shirt to the picnic."
"The black-and-white striped canopy provided welcome shade."
"The aquarium was decorated with brightly striped fish."
A stripe is one band in a pattern; 'striped' is what we call the whole design once those bands take over the surface.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does striped come from?
The adjective derives from the noun 'stripe,' which comes through Old English 'stripe,' meaning a band or strip of color. The modern form 'striped' developed by adding the usual adjectival suffix '-ed' to indicate an object marked with stripes. 'Striation' is related through the same Latin root associated with a groove or band, though it developed in a more specialized sense.
Related word forms
How striped is actually used
Usually used attributively before a noun, as in 'striped fabric' or 'striped trousers.' The term is common in both British and American English and is generally neutral in tone.
Easily confused with striped
A striped surface has bands or lines of color, while a stripped surface has been made bare or had its covering removed.