WordGarden.iostoke
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /stˈəʊk/
US
- /ˈstoʊk/
Meanings
Verb
to heighten or intensify excitement, fear, anger, or another strong reaction
to add fuel to and keep a fire, furnace, or stove burning
Noun
(slang)excitement, hype, or upbeat energy, especially in action-sports or outdoor slang
Beyond the definition
"Stoke" is all about keeping the fire alive, both literally and metaphorically. It started with the simple act of adding fuel to a fire, but over time it grew into a vivid way to talk about building excitement or making a feeling stronger. Surf culture helped make it popular as a word for that rush of joy and energy, and now it is widely used in everyday English. You can feel "stoked" about a trip, a game, or good news, and people also use the word when something raises a mood, interest, or emotion. It can be positive, but it can also describe making worry, anger, or conflict grow.
The word "stoke" is a versatile tool in the English language, rooted in the industrial task of tending a fire. To stoke a furnace—like those in old steam locomotives—means to add fuel and stir the embers to make the fire burn hotter and stronger. This literal meaning provides the perfect metaphor for its modern, figurative uses: to feed or encourage a thought, feeling, or situation.
In the mid-20th century, surfing and snowboarding subcultures adopted the term to describe a peak state of excitement. If a surfer is "stoked," they are filled with a pure, infectious energy. Today, this sense has gone mainstream; you can "get stoked" for a concert or be "stoked" about a new job.
However, "stoking" isn't always about positive vibes. Because the word implies fueling something to make it grow, it is often used to describe the intensification of any strong emotion. For instance, a news report might "stoke fears" of an economic downturn, or a controversial comment might "stoke the flames" of a heated debate. Whether it is fueling a literal boiler, an athlete's passion, or a community's curiosity, to stoke is to ensure that the fire—whatever form it takes—continues to burn with intensity.
Examples
- 1
Fire tending
He stepped outside at dawn to stoke the fire.
- 2
Publicity
The museum is using short videos to stoke interest in the new exhibit.
- 3
Online fear
One alarming post online was enough to stoke fears of more layoffs.
- 4
Sports conflict
The coach's comments only stoked tensions between the two teams.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Business rumors
The company's silence has stoked speculation that the deal is falling apart.
- 6
Informal excitement
I'm really stoked about starting my new job next month.
- Patternbe stoked about + thing/event
be very excited about it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- stoke fears
- stoke anger
- stoke tensions
- stoke the flames of
Word family
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Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- stokenounverb
Forms
- stokespluralnounverb
- stokedpast tenseverbnoun
- stoking-ing formverbnoun