English Reference
Verb

stroked

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈstɹoʊkt/ UK /stɹˈəʊkt/ stroked

v.to touch something gently with your fingers or hand, often to show you like it. You might do this to a pet or a soft piece of cloth.

v.to touch or move the fingers or hand gently over a surface, typically to express affection or to test the texture of a material.


SIMPLE

He stroked the soft fur of the cat.

CONTEXTUAL

She carefully stroked the fabric of the dress to check if it was smooth before buying it.

COMPLEX

The pianist's fingers stroked the keys with such precision that the audience could hear every individual note resonate through the hall.

Like the author, the narrator was “born in the mud month” of February, and longs to disappear into marshlands to “be touched and stroked by plants”.

The Guardian· 10 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated