English Reference
verb · adjective

stripped

v. · adj.
US /ˈstɹɪpt/ UK /stɹˈɪpt/ stripped

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.removed a covering or a layer from something.

    v.to have removed a surface layer, such as paint, wallpaper, or bark, from an object.

    Simple

    We stripped the old wallpaper off the walls before we started painting.

    In context

    The restoration team stripped the layers of grime and varnish from the seventeenth-century oil painting to reveal the original vibrant colours.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal Law

    v.officially took away someone's power, rights, or titles as a punishment.

    v.to deprive someone of rank, power, or property, typically as a formal or punitive measure.

    Simple

    The athlete was stripped of his gold medal after he failed a drug test.

    In context

    Following the scandal, the board of directors stripped the executive of his voting rights and removed him from the committee immediately.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.having the outer layer or covering removed.

    adj.describing a surface or object that has had its finish, covering, or components removed.

    Simple

    The room looked very different with its stripped floorboards and empty shelves.

    In context

    The designer preferred the aesthetic of stripped pine furniture, arguing that the raw wood added a necessary warmth to the minimalist interior.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Technical Technical

    adj.describes a screw or gear that is damaged so it cannot turn properly.

    adj.referring to a screw, bolt, or gear whose thread or teeth have been worn away or broken, rendering it non-functional.

    Simple

    I couldn't finish building the shelf because one of the screws was stripped.

    In context

    The mechanic noted that the stripped bolt would require a specialised extraction tool before the engine casing could be safely removed.

Usage stripped away

Japan was occupied by the United States , and the emperor was stripped of his semidivine status.

The Conversation· 11 Aug 2026

Michael Carter/Flickr via Wikimedia Commons , CC BY-SA After Christian churches were stripped of state funding, churches had to find new revenue sources.

The Conversation· 4 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated