Struck
/strʌk/
verbB2past tense, past participle
Definition
Struck means to hit or come into contact with force. It can also mean to suddenly feel or notice something, like an idea, feeling, or realization. People use "struck" to describe physical hits or sudden mental/emotional impacts.
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See It in Action
To hit or come into physical contact with force
- •The lightning struck the tree during the storm.
- •He struck the ball with great power.
- •The car struck the wall and stopped.
To suddenly feel or notice something
- •She was struck by the beauty of the sunset.
- •It struck him that he forgot his keys.
- •They were struck with fear during the loud noise.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "struck" like "hit" (A1 word), but it can also mean a sudden strong feeling or thought, not just physical contact.
- ✓Picture a hammer hitting a nail hard and fast—that is a clear image of being struck.
- ✓It’s the feeling when a sudden idea or memory hits your mind unexpectedly.
- ✓Sounds like "struck" → imagine a truck (big strong vehicle) hitting something, making a strong impact.
- ✓In stories, heroes are often struck by sudden inspiration or struck down in battle—both physical and mental hits.
- ✓NOT like "touch" (gentle contact), "struck" means a stronger, more forceful hit or sudden effect.
- ✓NOT like "hit" only physically—"struck" also covers sudden mental/emotional moments.
- ✓NOT like "strike" in sports meaning to miss; "struck" means the action of hitting actually happened.
Try Other Words
- •Hit: to touch or come against with force (Use when talking about simple physical contact)
- •Affected: to have an influence on feelings or thoughts (Use when talking about mental or emotional impact)
- •Noticed: to suddenly see or realize something (Use when focusing on sudden awareness or realization)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: base word "strike" + past tense/past participle form "-uck" (irregular form)
- •Etymology: From Old English "strīcan," meaning to stroke or strike
- •Historical development: Originally meant to hit or stroke; over time also used for sudden mental/emotional impact
- •Modern usage: Used for physical hitting and sudden feelings or realizations; common in both literal and figurative language
Reflect & Connect
•When have you been struck by a sudden idea or feeling that changed your thinking?
•How does the word "struck" connect physical hitting with sudden mental or emotional experiences?
Fill in the blanks
1.The lightning struck the building ___ causing ___ damage.
2.She was struck ___ by the news and could not speak.
3.Unlike a soft touch, being struck means the contact has ___ force.
4.When he was struck ___ by the memory, he stopped walking.
5.The player struck the ball ___ with great power and accuracy.
6.Being struck ___ by an idea often happens when you least expect it.
7.The car struck ___ the tree and stopped immediately.