streak1 nounstreak2 verb
streakstreak1 /striːk/ ●●○ noun [countable] 
WORD ORIGINstreak1
Origin:
Old English stricaEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "What have you been doing?'' asked his mother, pointing at the streaks of dried mud on his arms and legs.
- a streak of bad luck
- a stubborn streak
- Her hair was brown, with streaks of gold.
- Karen's dress had a big streak of red wine down the front.
- My father has a streak of heroism in him that I admire.
- Nancy dyes her hair to hide the gray streaks.
- She had a mean streak that she didn't bother to hide.
- The District Attorney argued that Johnson has a violent streak and is a danger to society.
- Amelia was a good student, but bright as she was, her strong streak of independence did not go unremarked.
- Many people have condemned Herod as a cruel man and certainly he showed a cruel streak, especially towards his own family.
- Only the Iron Virgin seemed to harbor a romantic streak.
- Suddenly it flew - a streak of brilliant yellow.
- The storm moved west in blue-white rattling streaks.
- The three women were wreaking havoc with their guns that fired streaks of light.
- There is obviously an ambitious streak in me but I do realise that I am still very young and inexperienced.
- There were gray streaks in her hair.
THESAURUS
a line of colour, especially one of several lines of colour all close together: · the red and white stripes on the US flag· horizontal stripes
a coloured line or thin mark, especially one that is not straight or has been made accidentally: · His hair was black with streaks of grey.· He saw the red streaks of sunrise in the sky.
a thick line of colour that is different from the areas around it: · The fish has a black band on its fin.
Longman Language Activatorone part of someone's character something such as an ability or a way of behaving that is part of someone's character: · Besides intelligence and charm, Bella had some less desirable qualities.· The essential quality of a good parent is patience.· Among his other endearing qualities, Ralph was an exceedingly patient man.
a part of someone's character, especially a part that is thought by other people to be good and useful: · The attribute that people found most attractive in Sharon was her optimism.· Hope is one of mankind's most enduring and rewarding attributes.· He had all the attributes of a great leader: charisma, energy, discipline, and resourcefulness.
someone's characteristics are the qualities that are typical of them and which make them easy to recognize: · All great leaders share certain characteristics which must be seen as the key to their success.· Ralph can be very mean sometimes. It's one of his less endearing characteristics.
one type of feeling or behaviour that is particularly noticeable in a person or group of people: · It's a human trait to joke about subjects that make us uncomfortable.family trait (=a trait shared by members of a family): · Pride seems to be one of our family traits.personality trait: · Certain personality traits make people more likely to become victims of violent crime.
: romantic/serious/funny etc side a part of someone's character, especially one that is very different from the rest of their character: · Canning was a very traditional Englishman but he had a surprisingly romantic side to him as well.· Val revealed her wild side at the office party.· After his arrest people realized that there had always been a darker side to his nature.
one part of someone's character, which makes them behave or feel in particular ways: · Part of me loves going to parties but there's another part that prefers staying at home.· There is a part of her that I just don't understand.
a part of someone's character that is quite different from the rest of their character, especially one that makes them behave badly: mean/nasty/violent etc streak: · She had a mean streak that she didn't bother to hide.· The District Attorney argued that Johnson has a violent streak and is a danger to society.
informal a part of someone's character, especially one that you like or dislike: · One of the things I like about Susan is the way she always keeps smiling, even when there are problems.· The nicest thing about Richard is that he doesn't mind being criticized.
good or bad things about someone's character: · Fred was a bad manager but he had his good points.· She always tried to be fair with her students and not just stress their bad points.· When you're dead people don't remember your faults -- only your good points.
a strange or unusual habit or part of someone's character: · Although on the outside he was quiet and shy, Albert had more than his share of quirks.· She took pride in her children's quirks and individuality, and made no effort to try to change them.
you say this when there is something about a person's character that you like or dislike, but you're not sure exactly what it is: · I don't know what it is, but there's something about that man which really irritates me.
a line of colour a straight line of colour on cloth, paper etc, usually part of a pattern where the line is repeated many times: · The American flag has red and white stripes.· He was wearing a grey suit with narrow blue stripes.· My horse had a big white stripe down the middle of his nose.
also stripy British spoken something which is striped or stripy has a pattern on it which is made of many narrow coloured lines which are close together: · He was wearing a navy blue suit and a striped shirt.· stripey socksred and black striped/pink and blue striped etc: · My aunt knitted me a blue and white striped sweater for Christmas.
a thick coloured line: · a black snake with orange bands around its backband of: · There was a band of yellow in the rock.· How many bands of colour are there in a rainbow?
a coloured line, especially one that is not straight or that has been made without any plan or pattern: · Her hair was brown, with streaks of gold.· Karen's dress had a big streak of red wine down the front.· "What have you been doing?" asked his mother, pointing at the streaks of dried mud on his arms and legs.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Celtic are on a six-game winning streak.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He’s always had a rebellious streak (=a tendency to rebel). I’ve got a very stubborn streak (=a tendency to be stubborn). The team are on a winning streak.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
Celtic are on a six-game winning streak. He’s always had a rebellious streak (=a tendency to rebel). I’ve got a very stubborn streak (=a tendency to be stubborn). (=when you win many competitions one after another)· They came here with a four-game winning streak.
The team are on a winning streak.· He had a wicked tongue when roused and could talk a blue streak.· I was talking a blue streak.
· But Sir Bryan was on a hot streak, inspired by the recovery of his clubs.· Tiffany Ball kept shooting Saturday afternoon on the little backyard court, shooting long after her hot streak had ended.· We've each had our hot streaks, I won't deny: the whammy has changed hands many times.· Simpson and Lehman maintained recent hot streaks, as well.· By the way, Domaine Valette is on a real hot streak.· Estrada continued his hot streak by boating two fish before anyone else.· Petersburg Can Datastream Systems Inc. continue its hot streak?
· I was a tough kid with a long streak of yellow down my back.· At the same time they ended the longest winning streak in Test history and levelled the series at 1-1.· Some saw it in long luminous streaks, others in huge bright spheres.· A long purple streak spreads across the sky.· Nice to see that it's 13 without defeat in the league - the longest streak I can remember.· The sticky fluid adheres to the bark and runs down in a long streak.
· Stories of his mean streak were legion.· He is known for his acerbic wit and his mean streak.
· The ectoderm anterior to the primitive streak forms the neural plate which is slightly indented along the midline.· The simplest two-instrument cell injection technique for both primitive streak stage and for early somite stage embryos will be described.
· Long hair swept up into a high chignon for classic glamour displays a rebellious streak!.· When the rebellious streak appeared in her life it was tolerated, but it was not tolerated in her literary personality.· Not surprisingly, the rebellious streak in his nature surfaced, and he started to behave with studied rudeness.· However, even at kindergarten his rebellious streak was showing and at the age of five or six he was playing truant.· The edgy, rebellious streak in his character could only be intensified by his somewhat beleaguered isolation in this respect.· Young people with curiosity and a rebellious streak are only too ready to experiment.
· There is a strong streak of greenery, both as a policy and as a political style.· Amelia was a good student, but bright as she was, her strong streak of independence did not go unremarked.· Keep an eye out for the sport simulation freaks as well, most have a strong competitive streak.· He was a generous man with strong abrasive streaks and keen hatreds.· From the start there had been a strong streak of elitism in their outlook.· Though a romantic at heart, she had a strong streak of realism.
· Luckily, I had that stubborn streak to give me the determination to do it.
· It is white with yellowy-green streaks and mottling, and can be seen in the island's cathedral.· When excited or scared, a white streak appears on the sides, extending backwards from the pectoral fins.· As I opened the door, a white streak flashed past my ankles and vanished around the first turn of the spiral.· The dark-bellied brent goose is small, neat and sooty black, with white neck streaks and a white stern.· Then she lay down on her sunbed again, leaving white streaks of suncream on the young man's back.· A white streak of gas burst over my left hand.· With the white streak down the middle, he looked a little like a badger.
· Mark Farrelly's winning streak in the 125 series began at Desertmartin when he won the second race.· Is this the start of a winning streak for Destefani and his in-line powered Strega?· It was Charlton who stopped a winning streak at the end of last season which cost Leicester automatic promotion.· This winning streak caught a lot of chess players by surprise.· Clear as day - I was on a winning streak, I'd hit a seam.· Heaven help us if they ever get on a winning streak.· The Cottesloe is on a winning streak because it also has Uncle Vanya, with a host of fine performances.· Is a bank justified in taking the risk that the future dealing style of a firm may show a winning streak?
VERB· Tokyo broke a three-day losing streak as the bargain hunters picked up blue chips and tech stocks, writes Ken Hijino.
· Estrada continued his hot streak by boating two fish before anyone else.· Petersburg Can Datastream Systems Inc. continue its hot streak?
· They ended their eight-game losing streak Sunday, in part because of defensive tackle Jerry Ball.· At the same time they ended the longest winning streak in Test history and levelled the series at 1-1.· The 49ers, who ended a three-game losing streak in domes, are 6-6 indoors since 1993...· It ended a winning streak of 16 Tests and an unbeaten sequence of 18.· The Vikings thus ended their losing streak at four games, while sending the Raiders tumbling to their third consecutive loss.· Application Apply bronzer evenly and don't go over the same area twice or you will end up with streaks.· The dizziness that ended his streak of consecutive starts for the Celtics will keep him out at least two more games.
· The defeat extended West Indies losing streak to seven Tests, their worst to date.· The Sixers extended their winning streak to six games.· The other is Sandy Alomar, who is not really extending any mathematical streak but is continuing his season-long march of excellence.· Can the firm extend a winning streak for a hundred years, without losing its high credit rating?
· The doll shoots across the floor, into a pile of carved stone, leaving a dark streak in the dust.· If it leaves a brown streak, then it is probably jet.· Then she lay down on her sunbed again, leaving white streaks of suncream on the young man's back.· It left a streak of mud right down his cheek.
· Previously 0-7-3 against Boston, the Sharks improved their record to 2-3 this season and snapped a two-game losing streak.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1a coloured line, especially one that is not straight or has been made accidentally: - A streak of lightning split the sky.
- Sometimes there is hope, a streak of light, a blur on a piece of film.
- The three women were wreaking havoc with their guns that fired streaks of light.
- There was another streak of lightning overhead.
- He had a wicked tongue when roused and could talk a blue streak.
- I was talking a blue streak.
- Can the firm extend a winning streak for a hundred years, without losing its high credit rating?
- Clear as day - I was on a winning streak, I'd hit a seam.
- Is this the start of a winning streak for Destefani and his in-line powered Strega?
- It was Charlton who stopped a winning streak at the end of last season which cost Leicester automatic promotion.
- Modern-day pirates have been on a winning streak.
- Planting the seeds for a winning streak, right?
- The victorious get to dream about a winning streak before being pummeled again the week after.
- We still have four games left and we can still put together a winning streak.
Sue has blonde streaks in her hair.2a part of someone’s character that is different from the rest of their character: a mean streakstreak of His serious nature was lightened by a streak of mischief.3a period of time during which you continue to be successful or to failbe on a winning/losing streak Celtic are on a six-game winning streak.4streak of lightning/fire/light etc a long straight flash of lightning, fire etcstreak1 nounstreak2 verb
streakstreak2 verb VERB TABLE
streak
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | streak |
| he, she, it | streaks | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | streaked |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have streaked |
| he, she, it | has streaked | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had streaked |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will streak |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have streaked |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am streaking |
| he, she, it | is streaking | |
| you, we, they | are streaking | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was streaking |
| you, we, they | were streaking | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been streaking |
| he, she, it | has been streaking | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been streaking |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be streaking |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been streaking |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I caught a glimpse of a man streaking away into the shadows.
- The evening sky was streaked red and orange.
- Two aircraft streaked across the sky.
- A sleek cat streaked across the top of the wall and was gone.
- He crawls out, his face streaked with oil, and dries himself with a rag.
- His face and uniform were streaked with red.
- I remember it as if I were still standing there, streaked with blood and dust and tears, talking to her.
- My own shirt was streaked with perspiration stains from the same walk.
- Soon we are streaked with sweat and mud.
- The comets that streaked the skies and scared the ancients were powered by Fenna's breath.
- The fog flickered around him, streaking like lightning low to the ground, or mute cannon fire.
Longman Language Activatorto move very fast in a particular direction
to go somewhere as fast as you can: race back/up/into etc: · Hearing the children's screams, she raced back to the house.· A police car came racing down the road.tear away/up/across etc: · She tore across the lobby, then up three flights of stairs.· Just before the explosion, a man came tearing across the street.
to go somewhere very quickly because you are in a hurry: rush out/around/into etc: · Everyone rushed out into the street to see what was happening.· People were rushing past me on their way to work.dash into/around/to etc: · Pam dashed into the store just as it was closing.· The boys dashed across the road and disappeared into the woods.
to travel or go somewhere extremely quickly: fly past/up/along etc: · As I slowed down another car flew past me and turned to the left.· The bus was flying along when suddenly the driver slammed on the brakes.
to run, fly, or swim with a sudden quick movement: dart through/back/across etc: · I could see small silvery fish darting through the water.· As the rain began to fall harder, I darted into the first shop I could find.
written if someone or something streaks somewhere, they run or fly there so fast that you can hardly see them: streak across/past/away etc: · Two aircraft streaked across the sky.· I caught a glimpse of a man streaking away into the shadows.
to move extremely quickly through the air or along a road, making a loud high noise: whizz past/by/through etc: · A bullet whizzed past my ear.· I stared out the window, watching as kids on bicycles and skateboards whizzed by.
if a car, bus, plane etc zooms somewhere, it moves there extremely fast, making a loud noise with its engine: zoom past/through/over etc: · The plane zoomed low over the airfield.· A fire engine zoomed past us.
to move somewhere very quickly, especially in a vehicle: speed along/by/towards etc: · An ambulance sped by on its way to an accident.· Small patrol boats sped along the shore.
use this to say that someone or something is going extremely fast: · That car must have been really moving when it hit the van.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He’s always had a rebellious streak (=a tendency to rebel). I’ve got a very stubborn streak (=a tendency to be stubborn). The team are on a winning streak.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
He’s always had a rebellious streak (=a tendency to rebel). I’ve got a very stubborn streak (=a tendency to be stubborn). (=when you win many competitions one after another)· They came here with a four-game winning streak.
The team are on a winning streak.· Tears streaking down her face, she acknowledged the irony of it.· She looked at Adam and saw the mark of the spear between his eyes; blood had flowed, streaking his face.
· The comets that streaked the skies and scared the ancients were powered by Fenna's breath.· Morning came bright and clear with a pale dawn streaking the skies.· The planes came streaking across the sky over Tempe with all the world watching.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1[intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to run or fly somewhere so fast you can hardly be seenstreak across/along/down etc- He had a wicked tongue when roused and could talk a blue streak.
- I was talking a blue streak.
- Can the firm extend a winning streak for a hundred years, without losing its high credit rating?
- Clear as day - I was on a winning streak, I'd hit a seam.
- Is this the start of a winning streak for Destefani and his in-line powered Strega?
- It was Charlton who stopped a winning streak at the end of last season which cost Leicester automatic promotion.
- Modern-day pirates have been on a winning streak.
- Planting the seeds for a winning streak, right?
- The victorious get to dream about a winning streak before being pummeled again the week after.
- We still have four games left and we can still put together a winning streak.
Two jets streaked across the sky.2[transitive] to cover something with lines of colour, liquid etc: The sky was streaked yellow and purple.be streaked with His hands and arms were streaked with paint.GRAMMAR Streak is usually passive in this meaning.3[intransitive] to run across a public place with no clothes on as a joke or in order to shock people