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What is the Meaning of “Stride”?

Showing meaning 1 of 2 · Stride has 2 distinct meanings in English.

Stride
/straɪd/

to take long purposeful steps forward while walking or moving with steady motion

Definition of Stride (meaning 1 of 2 — verb)

Quick Meaning of Stride

to take long purposeful steps forward while walking or moving with steady motion

Detailed Definition of Stride

to walk with long confident steps, often showing purpose or determination

How to Pronounce Stride

IPA: /straɪd/
stride

Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).

Tip: Rhymes with 'wide' and 'tried'. The vowel is long like the 'i' in 'ice'.

Watch out: strĭd with a short vowel; it should be long like in 'wide'

Full pronunciation guide for “stride” →

Other Meanings of Stride

“Stride” has 2 distinct meanings in English. You’re viewing meaning #1; here are the other 1:

#2 Stride as a noun

B2

a long step you take when walking; also means important progress or improvement in something

Example: “The child took long strides across the playground.” A2
Synonyms: step pace progress
Common phrase: make great strides
View full entry for this meaning →

Origin and Etymology of Stride

Old English stridan, from Proto-Germanic; related to Old High German stritan (to struggle, strive)

How to Use Stride in a Sentence

Each example shows “stride” in the meaning “to take long purposeful steps forward while walking…”, with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.

  • “She walked with long strides down the hall.”
    A2 daily
  • “The athlete strides across the track with powerful movements.”
    B2 formal
  • “He was striding confidently when I saw him.”
    B2 written

Synonyms and Antonyms of Stride

Common Synonyms for Stride

Smart Synonyms for Stride — When to Use Each

march
military or purposeful
pace
walk back and forth
saunter
casual and slow

Antonyms of Stride

See all synonyms for “stride” →

Common Collocations with Stride

These phrases pair with “stride” in everyday English:

  • stride forward
  • stride across
  • stride confidently
  • stride into the room

Common Mistakes When Using Stride

Even fluent speakers slip up with “stride”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:

✗ Wrong: He striked down the corridor
✓ Correct: He strode down the corridor
Why: Stride is irregular; past tense is strode, not striked
✗ Wrong: They have stride forward confidently
✓ Correct: They have stridden forward confidently
Why: Past participle is stridden, not stride

Words Confused With Stride

  • Stride vs Stroll: stroll means to walk casually and relaxed; stride means to walk with long purposeful steps

Other Forms of Stride

Frequently Asked Questions About Stride

What is the meaning of "Stride"?

to take long purposeful steps forward while walking or moving with steady motion

How do you pronounce "Stride"?

The IPA is /straɪd/. Rhymes with 'wide' and 'tried'. The vowel is long like the 'i' in 'ice'.

What part of speech is "Stride"?

"Stride" is a verb at B2 level (Common European Framework).

What are synonyms for "Stride"?

Common synonyms include march, walk, step.

How do you use "Stride" in a sentence?

For example: "She walked with long strides down the hall."

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