1 B2 idiomatic informal
(Informal, chiefly American) To suffer a stroke; to have a sudden loss of brain function due to a blocked or burst blood vessel.
"He stroked out during the middle of the game and was rushed to hospital."
inseparable
stroke out
B2 informal mixed transitive/intransitive
To suffer a stroke (a medical emergency), or to cross out writing with a stroke of the pen.
In plain English
Have a sudden brain emergency (like a stroke), or draw a line through something written.
What does "stroke out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To draw a line through a word or piece of text to indicate it should be removed or ignored.
"She stroked out the incorrect answer and wrote the right one above it."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To stroke (make a mark) out — crossing something out with a pen stroke; or to 'stroke out' as a verb describing the brain event called a stroke.
Actually means
Have a sudden brain emergency (like a stroke), or draw a line through something written.
Usage tip
The medical sense ('to have a stroke') is primarily American informal English. The writing sense is less common than 'cross out' or 'strike out'. Use with care in medical contexts — 'have a stroke' is more standard.
Words that pair with "stroke out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
patient suddenly word line entry
How to conjugate "stroke out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
stroke out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
strokes out
he/she/it
Past simple
stroked out
yesterday
Past participle
stroked out
have + pp
-ing form
stroking out
continuous
Hear "stroke out" in the wild
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