Streak
/striːk/
Definitions
3 meaningsA long, thin line or mark on a surface, often of a different color or texture.
/striːk/
A long, thin line or mark.
A streak of sunlight came through the blinds.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're drawing a line with a crayon and it makes a long, skinny mark. That's a streak! Like when a car leaves a streak of dust on a muddy road.
👶 For kids: A long line or mark.
More Examples
The cake had a streak of chocolate frosting.
The runner's jersey had a streak of mud after the race.
How It's Used
"The meteor left a brilliant streak across the night sky."
"The artist used a streak of red to emphasize the focal point."
A continuous period of success or failure.
/striːk/
A sequence of successes or failures.
She had a streak of bad luck, failing her exams and then dropping her phone the next day.
💡 Simply: When something keeps happening over and over in a row, like winning games in a row or getting good grades in a row, that's a streak! Like a winning streak in a game.
👶 For kids: A time when something keeps happening in a row.
More Examples
The basketball team went on a losing streak.
The bakery is experiencing a streak of customer complaints.
How It's Used
"The team was on a winning streak for eight games."
"The company experienced a streak of profitable quarters."
To run or move very quickly.
/striːk/
To move very quickly.
The cheetah streaked across the savanna.
💡 Simply: To run really fast and out in the open. Like, if you're running across the field and everyone can see you, you're streaking!
👶 For kids: To run really fast.
More Examples
The runner streaked past the finish line.
He streaked through the park, leaving everyone astonished.
How It's Used
"He streaked across the field after winning the bet."
Synonyms
Line
Mark
Smear
Cycle
Period
Run
Sequence
Series
Race
Rush
Speed
Sprint
Idioms & expressions
on a winning streak
Experiencing a continuous period of success.
"The team is on a winning streak."
lucky streak
A period of good luck.
"She's on a lucky streak and winning every game."
From Middle English *streke*, from Old English *strica* ('stroke, line').
The word has been used since the Old English period to describe a line or mark.
Memory tip
Think of a paintbrush leaving a streak of paint.