# Stokes

/ˈstoʊks/ (US) · /stˈəʊks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stokes
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to fuel a fire

verb · CEFR B2

to add fuel to a fire or furnace to keep it burning brightly.

For teachers: to maintain or increase the intensity of a fire by adding fuel and stirring the embers.

- The worker stokes the furnace every hour to keep the factory warm.
- As the temperature dropped, the night watchman stokes the iron stove, ensuring the embers remain hot enough to last until morning.

### 2. to encourage a feeling

verb · CEFR B2

to make a feeling, like anger or excitement, much stronger in other people.

For teachers: to incite or further provoke a strong emotion, belief, or controversy.

- The politician's speech stokes fears about the rising cost of living.
- The controversial documentary stokes public debate regarding privacy laws, prompting calls for immediate legislative reform.

### 3. unit of viscosity

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a scientific unit used to measure how thick or sticky a liquid is when it moves.

For teachers: a CGS unit of kinematic viscosity, equivalent to one square centimetre per second.

- The engineer measured the oil's thickness in stokes to ensure the machine would run smoothly.
- The laboratory report specified the kinematic viscosity of the lubricant in stokes, noting its deviation from the standard at high temperatures.

## Examples

- The politician's speech stokes fear among the voters.
- The recent rise in energy prices stokes concerns about the cost of living for many families this winter.
- By refusing to address the rumors directly, the celebrity only stokes further speculation regarding the future of her career and her upcoming world tour.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.