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strike through

B2 neutral separable transitive

To draw a line horizontally through text to indicate it is deleted, incorrect, or no longer valid.

In plain English

To draw a line through a word or sentence to show it is wrong or removed.

What does "strike through" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B2 neutral

To draw a horizontal line through text to show it is incorrect, deleted, or superseded.

"The editor had struck through entire paragraphs and written 'cut' in the margin."

separable
2 B1 neutral

(Typography/digital) To apply strikethrough formatting to text in a document.

"Select the words and click the strikethrough button to strike them through."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To draw a line that strikes (cuts) through written text — transparent in context.

Actually means

To draw a line through a word or sentence to show it is wrong or removed.

Usage tip

Widely used in word processing, editing, and proofreading. In digital contexts, strikethrough is a text formatting option. Also used in handwritten corrections. Sometimes used stylistically to show irony or second thoughts.

Words that pair with "strike through"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

text word error name price formatting

How to conjugate "strike through"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
strike through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
strikes through
he/she/it
Past simple
striked through
yesterday
Past participle
striked through
have + pp
-ing form
striking through
continuous

Hear "strike through" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "strike through" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "strike through"

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Keep exploring

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