stride

stride — verb

1. to take long, purposeful steps when moving on foot, often showing that you feel

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to take long, purposeful steps when moving on foot, often showing that you feel confident, urgent, or in charge

Example

Yuna strode across the station concourse to catch her train before the doors closed.

stride + across + [location] for direction

The head teacher strode into the classroom and the noise stopped immediately.

Common collocations
  • stride across
  • stride into
  • stride through
  • stride along
  • stride confidently
  • stride purposefully
Synonyms
  • march

    suggests military-style discipline or protest, whereas stride is more about personal determination

  • pace

    implies walking back and forth or in an agitated way, not necessarily with long steps

  • stalk

    has a negative tone of anger or hostility; stride is more neutral or positive

Antonyms
  • tiptoe

    to walk quietly on the toes, the opposite of walking loudly and confidently

  • shuffle

    to drag one's feet, lacking the energy and purpose of a stride

Grammar Patterns

stride + [direction adverb/preposition]

Usage Note

Frequently used with a direction preposition or adverb (across, into, through, along, up). The verb already carries the idea of speed and purpose, so modifiers like quickly or fast are usually unnecessary.

Common Mistakes

She strode quickly down the hallway.
She strode down the hallway.
'stride' already implies speed; adding 'quickly' is redundant.
He strode the street.
He strode across/along/down the street.
this sense of 'stride' needs a preposition of direction before the destination.
Phrasal verbs

stride out

phrasal verb

to walk with long, confident steps, especially as you move away from someone or something

After the argument, Justin strode out of the café without looking back.

The runner strode out ahead of the pack in the final lap of the race.

Idioms

take something in your stride

idiom

to deal with a difficult or unpleasant situation calmly and without letting it affect you

Shirin failed the driving test twice, but she took it in her stride and booked another lesson right away.

Starting a new school can be hard, but most children take the change in their stride after a few weeks.

hit your stride

idiom

to reach a point where you start doing something well, confidently, and at your best speed

The band was nervous for the first song, but by the third one they had hit their stride.

It took Renata a few months to hit her stride as a project manager, but now everyone respects her.

stride — noun

Word family

  • strides
    noun (plural / trousers)B2
  • strider
    noun (person who strides)C1
  • astride
    adverb / prepositionC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs describe ways of walking with a particular attitude. Stride suggests long, confident steps that show purpose or authority — someone strides into a meeting because they are ready to take charge. March is more rigid and structured, linked to military movement or protest; a person marches in a straight line with lifted knees and a stiff upper body. Pace usually means walking back and forth within a small space, often because of nervousness or impatience — someone paces the waiting room while checking their watch. Stalk has a negative, angry flavour: the person moves stiffly and deliberately, as if hunting someone. For a learner, stride is the most neutral and positive of the four. Example: 'Élise strode onto the stage, smiled at the audience, and began her speech.' Compare: 'The soldiers marched past the reviewing stand.' 'He paced nervously outside the exam room.' 'The detective stalked across the floor toward the suspect.'

stride ↗march ↗pace ↗stalk

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • with long strides
  • in full stride
  • at a steady stride

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Stride comes from Old English strīdan (to straddle or stride), which traces back to a Proto-Germanic root *strīdaną meaning to stand or walk with legs apart. The sense of 'walking with long steps' has been part of English since before the 12th century. The figurative meaning 'progress or development' emerged in the 1600s, and the British slang for 'trousers' appeared in the early 20th century.