strip
He stripped the old wallpaper off the wall.
He removed the old wallpaper from the wall.
to remove the covering, clothing, or outer layer from something or someone
She stripped the paint from the furniture.
She removed the paint from the furniture.
The thief stripped the victim of all valuables.
The thief took all valuables from the victim.
Commonly used with prepositions like 'off', 'from', 'down', or 'away'.
to remove parts or features from something to simplify or reduce it
The company stripped down the product to its essential features.
The company simplified the product by removing non-essential features.
Often used in product design or manufacturing contexts.
a long, narrow piece of material, land, or other substance
A strip of paper was torn from the notebook.
A narrow piece of paper was removed from the notebook.
They built a house on a narrow strip of land.
They constructed a house on a long, narrow piece of land.
Can refer to physical objects, land, or abstract concepts like 'a strip of land'.
a comic strip
I read the funny strip in the newspaper every morning.
I read the comic strip in the newspaper every morning.
Shortened form of 'comic strip', commonly used in casual speech.
to remove one's clothing
The dancers stripped down to their underwear for the performance.
The dancers removed their outer clothing for the performance.
Often implies revealing or undressing, sometimes for a performance or intimate context.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Prepositions with 'strip'
When using 'strip' as a verb, pay attention to prepositions like 'off', 'from', 'down', or 'away'. For example, 'strip the paint off' vs. 'strip paint from'.
Gold Rule
Literal vs. Figurative Meaning
'Strip' as a verb often implies removal of a covering or outer layer, while as a noun it refers to a long, narrow piece. Context determines the meaning.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'strippe' (meaning 'to plunder' or 'strip off clothes'), from Old English 'strypan' (to strip), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'stropen' and German 'streifen'.
Usage Notes
The verb 'strip' can be transitive or intransitive. As a noun, it often refers to a long, narrow piece of material or land. In informal contexts, 'strip' can mean to undress or refer to a comic strip.