Explanation at your level:
If something is striking, it is very easy to see. You look at it and you like it. Think of a very bright color. It is a nice word to describe things you see.
Use striking when you see something beautiful or different. If a person has a striking face, it means they are very pretty or handsome in a way you remember. It is a stronger word than just 'nice'.
In this level, you can use striking to describe differences or contrasts. For example, 'There is a striking difference between these two cities.' It helps you explain that something is very clear and obvious to everyone.
At this level, you can use striking to add nuance to your descriptions. It is often used in professional or academic contexts to highlight important findings. It suggests that the subject has a quality that commands attention.
Advanced learners use striking to convey a sense of aesthetic or intellectual impact. It is perfect for literary descriptions or critical analysis. It suggests that the object of discussion possesses a remarkable, almost forceful, quality that demands critical engagement.
At the mastery level, striking is a tool for precision. It captures the intersection of visibility and significance. Whether describing a striking architectural feat or a striking paradox in a philosophical text, it implies a depth of impression that moves beyond mere appearance into the realm of profound observation.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Striking means very noticeable or impressive.
- It is a positive word used for visuals or ideas.
- It comes from the idea of something hitting your senses.
- Commonly used as 'a striking resemblance' or 'striking feature'.
When you call something striking, you mean it makes a strong impression. Think of a bright red flower in a field of green grass; that is a striking contrast. It is a word we use when something stands out from the crowd.
You can use it for people, like someone with striking blue eyes, or for ideas, like a striking discovery in science. It is a positive, powerful word that suggests something is memorable and hard to ignore.
The word comes from the Old English strican, which meant to move, go, or stroke. Over time, it evolved to mean 'to hit' or 'to strike' with force. By the 17th century, the adjective striking began to be used figuratively.
It implies that the object or person 'hits' your senses or your mind with force. It is related to the German word streichen, which also shares roots in movement and contact. It is fascinating how a word about physical hitting became a way to describe beauty and visual impact.
You will hear striking used in both formal and casual settings. It is very common to hear it paired with physical features, such as striking resemblance or striking appearance.
In formal writing, you might see it used to describe statistics or data, like a striking increase in sales. It is a versatile adjective that adds a bit of drama and clarity to your sentences, making your descriptions much more vivid.
While 'striking' itself isn't always in an idiom, it is used in phrases like a striking resemblance, which means looking exactly like someone else. Another common expression is striking a balance, which means finding a fair middle ground.
We also say striking a chord, meaning to cause someone to feel a particular emotion. These phrases show how the word 'strike' connects to impact and action in English.
As an adjective, striking is usually placed before a noun (e.g., a striking photo) or after a linking verb (e.g., the view was striking). It is pronounced /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/ in both US and UK English.
It rhymes with words like hiking, biking, and liking. Remember that the stress is on the first syllable. It is a regular adjective, so it does not have a plural form, but it can be modified by adverbs like very or quite.
Fun Fact
It shares roots with the word 'stroke'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'str' sound, long 'i' diphthong.
Similar to UK, slightly more nasal 'i'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'k' too softly
- Adding an extra syllable
- Misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to pronounce
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The striking dog.
Linking verbs
It is striking.
Adverb formation
Strikingly beautiful.
Examples by Level
The flower is striking.
The flower is very pretty.
Adjective after verb.
She has striking eyes.
The building is very striking.
It was a striking change.
He made a striking point.
The colors are striking.
That is a striking photo.
The dress is quite striking.
What a striking view!
There is a striking contrast between them.
He bears a striking resemblance to his father.
The results were striking.
It was a striking success.
She wore a striking outfit.
The scenery is striking.
The difference is striking.
A striking feature of the house.
The evidence is striking.
A striking example of modern art.
He has a striking personality.
The silence was striking.
A striking lack of interest.
The similarity is striking.
A striking portrait of the artist.
The impact was striking.
The film offers a striking critique of society.
Her performance was truly striking.
A striking paradox in his logic.
The book provides a striking account of history.
A striking departure from tradition.
The sunset was striking in its intensity.
A striking display of courage.
The contrast is visually striking.
The architecture is a striking testament to the era.
A striking synthesis of various styles.
The disparity is striking to any observer.
A striking manifestation of his genius.
The narrative has a striking emotional resonance.
A striking divergence from the norm.
The findings are of striking importance.
A striking illustration of human nature.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"strike a balance"
find a compromise
We need to strike a balance between work and life.
neutral"strike a chord"
evoke an emotion
His story struck a chord with the audience.
neutral"strike while the iron is hot"
act quickly when opportunity arises
You should apply now; strike while the iron is hot.
casual"strike gold"
find something valuable
We really struck gold with this new hire.
casual"strike out"
fail
He struck out in his first attempt.
casual"strike a pose"
stand in a specific way
The model struck a pose for the camera.
neutralEasily Confused
Sounds very similar.
Sticking means adhering; striking means impressive.
The glue is sticking vs the view is striking.
Both start with 's'.
Shocking is for surprise/bad news.
The news was shocking.
Both mean beautiful.
Stunning is more about extreme beauty.
She looks stunning.
It is the adverb form.
Strikingly modifies verbs/adjectives.
It is strikingly beautiful.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + striking
The painting is striking.
Subject + has + striking + noun
She has striking eyes.
There is a striking + noun
There is a striking difference.
It is a striking + noun
It is a striking success.
Adverb + striking + noun
A visually striking design.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Striking implies a large, memorable impact.
Striking is usually positive or neutral.
It is an adjective, it needs a noun to modify.
Strikingly is an adverb.
There is no 'c' before the 'k'.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a bright neon sign in your mind.
Native Usage
Use it when you want to emphasize beauty.
Art Context
Use it to describe paintings.
Adjective Rule
Always keep it before the noun.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'str' blend.
Don't say 'stricking'
Check the spelling.
Did You Know?
It comes from the word for hitting.
Study Smart
Use it in your daily journal.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
STRIKE: S-taring T-ruly R-eally I-mpressive K-eeping E-veryone looking.
Visual Association
A bright lightning bolt striking the ground.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe three things in your room using the word 'striking'.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: To move, go, or stroke
Cultural Context
None, generally a positive term.
Commonly used in fashion and art critiques.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Art Gallery
- striking colors
- striking composition
- striking style
Job Interview
- striking achievement
- striking results
- striking progress
Fashion
- striking outfit
- striking look
- striking design
Nature
- striking view
- striking sunset
- striking landscape
Conversation Starters
"What is the most striking place you have ever visited?"
"Do you think appearance is a striking feature of success?"
"Can you describe a striking painting you saw recently?"
"Why do you think some people have a striking personality?"
"What is a striking difference between your home and here?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a striking person you met.
Describe a striking sunset you saw.
What is a striking change you made in your life?
Write about a striking book you read.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUsually, but it can be used for 'strikingly bad' situations.
Yes, it works for people, objects, and ideas.
No, shocking is usually negative or surprising.
Add -ly to get 'strikingly'.
Yes, it is very common in descriptive English.
Yes, that is a very common phrase.
Unremarkable or plain.
No, it is an adjective.
Test Yourself
The view is very ___.
Striking fits the positive description.
What does striking mean?
Striking means it catches your eye.
Can you use 'striking' to describe a boring day?
Striking implies it is memorable/interesting.
Word
Meaning
They are synonyms.
Subject + verb + adjective.
Score: /5
Summary
Striking is the perfect word to describe something so impressive that it leaves a lasting mark on your memory.
- Striking means very noticeable or impressive.
- It is a positive word used for visuals or ideas.
- It comes from the idea of something hitting your senses.
- Commonly used as 'a striking resemblance' or 'striking feature'.
Memory Palace
Imagine a bright neon sign in your mind.
Native Usage
Use it when you want to emphasize beauty.
Art Context
Use it to describe paintings.
Adjective Rule
Always keep it before the noun.
