# streak

/ˈstɹik/ (US) · /stɹˈiːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/streak
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a long mark

noun · CEFR B2

a long, thin mark or line that is a different colour from the surface around it.

For teachers: a long, thin, irregular line or band of a different substance or colour from its surroundings.

- There was a dirty streak on the window where the bird had hit it.
- The dawn sky was painted with long streaks of orange and violet, reflecting off the calm surface of the lake.

### 2. a series of events

noun · CEFR B2

a period of time where the same thing happens again and again, like winning many games.

For teachers: an unbroken series of events or successes, often used in sports or gambling contexts.

- The team is on a ten-game winning streak and feels very confident.
- After a long losing streak, the gambler finally broke even during the final hour of the tournament.

### 3. internet activity

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a count of how many days in a row you have used an app or talked to someone.

For teachers: a metric in digital applications representing the number of consecutive days a user has completed a specific action.

- I don't want to miss a day because I have a 200-day streak on my language app.
- The app uses streaks as a gamification mechanic to ensure daily user engagement and habit formation.

### 4. personality trait

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a part of someone's character that is different from the rest of their personality.

For teachers: an identifiable element in someone's character, typically one that contrasts with their general temperament.

- He is usually very kind, but he has a mean streak when he loses a game.
- Despite her outward appearance of conformity, she possessed a rebellious streak that occasionally surfaced during staff meetings.

### 5. to move fast

verb · CEFR B2

to move very fast in a certain direction.

For teachers: to move at high speed, often leaving a visual blur or trail.

- We watched the shooting star streak across the night sky.
- The experimental jet streaked through the upper atmosphere, leaving a thin white vapour trail in its wake.

### 6. to mark with lines

verb · CEFR B2

to cover something with long, thin marks.

For teachers: to mark a surface with irregular lines or smears.

- The rain started to streak the dust on the car's windshield.
- Tears began to streak her makeup as she listened to the emotional tribute during the ceremony.

### 7. to run naked

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal · Humorous

to run naked through a public place as a joke or to get attention.

For teachers: to run naked through a public place, typically as a prank or a form of protest.

- A fan tried to streak across the field during the final minutes of the match.
- Security personnel quickly intercepted the individual who attempted to streak across the pitch during the televised final.

## Examples

- I have a fifty-day study streak on my language app.
- The basketball team finally lost a game after a ten-match winning streak.
- Maintaining a daily meditation streak can provide a powerful psychological incentive to continue the practice, as the fear of breaking the chain outweighs the desire to skip a session.

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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.