What does stripped mean?
Stripped describes something that has lost its clothing, covering, or essential provisions. The word is often used with the preposition “of,” as in “stripped of leaves” or “stripped of resources,” and it can convey both a physical condition and a figurative lack. A bare landscape might be called stripped, while a community lacking essential services may also be described as stripped. The expression “stripped bare” emphasizes that every covering or available resource has been removed. As the past tense and past participle of “strip,” it also records an action: someone stripped the walls, stripped the shelves, or stripped away the unnecessary details. Its strong image of removal makes it useful when describing clothing, natural landscapes, vehicles, organizations, and abstract conditions such as deprivation or vulnerability.
Having had clothing or another covering removed; bare or uncovered.
"The workers were stripped to the waist while repairing the engine."
Deprived of something essential or normally present.
"The system was stripped of funding and could no longer operate."
Past tense and past participle of strip.
"The crew stripped the deck before repairing the damaged planks."
A single storm can leave a landscape stripped of its leaves, showing how quickly even the most familiar scenes can be transformed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stripped come from?
The word comes from the Old English verb “stripan,” meaning to strip off clothing or remove a covering. The modern participle “stripped” developed from that verb and preserves its older sense of undressing or uncovering, as well as later figurative meanings involving removal or deprivation.
Related word forms
How stripped is actually used
The adjective is common in both formal and informal contexts. “Stripped of” is especially frequent with resources, vegetation, rights, and protection; “stripped bare” strongly emphasizes complete removal.
Easily confused with stripped
“Stripped” means bare or removed of a covering, whereas “striped” means marked with stripes or bands.