Word
stroking
US/ˈstɹoʊkɪŋ/
UK/stɹˈəʊkɪŋ/
Definition
v. to move your hand gently over a surface, usually over skin or fur. You do this to show love or to make a person or animal feel calm.
v. moving the hand or an object over a surface with gentle pressure and a smooth motion. Often used to describe an action intended to soothe or show affection.
Examples
“She is stroking the cat while she watches television.”
“The mother was gently stroking her child's hair until the toddler finally fell asleep.”
“By rhythmically stroking the dog's ears, the vet was able to keep the animal calm enough to perform the examination without using heavy sedation.”
Examples
simple
“She is stroking the cat while she watches television.”
contextual
“The mother was gently stroking her child's hair until the toddler finally fell asleep.”
complex
“By rhythmically stroking the dog's ears, the vet was able to keep the animal calm enough to perform the examination without using heavy sedation.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically a person or an animal.