strain
gb/stɹˈeɪn/ us/stɹˈeɪn/
A2
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
physical or mental pressure
A feeling of stress or pressure in the body or mind.
Usage pattern:
under [strain]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'strain' with 'string' due to similar pronunciation.
Synonyms
stress (Often used interchangeably, but 'stress' is more common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
relief (Represents the removal or easing of pressure or tension.)
Collocations
under strain
|cause strain
|emotional strain
|mental strain
|relieve strain
Themes
emotions
|health
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The long hours at work put a strain on their relationship.
- Carrying the heavy boxes caused a strain in his back.
- The economic crisis has placed a great strain on small businesses.
Learner examples
- The test caused a lot of strain for me.
- Working too much can cause mental strain.
- Her injury put a strain on her walking.
Verb
A2
action
2
injure by overuse
To hurt a muscle by using it too much or stretching it too far.
Usage pattern:
to strain [a muscle/body part]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'strain' with 'sprain', but they refer to different types of injuries.
Synonyms
sprain (Similar but refers specifically to ligaments rather than muscles.)
Antonyms
heal (Means to recover from an injury.)
Collocations
strain a muscle
|strain your back
|badly strained
Themes
health
|sports
|body
Examples
- She strained her ankle while running.
- Be careful not to strain your back when lifting heavy objects.
- He strained a muscle in his shoulder during the game.
Learner examples
- I strained my leg playing soccer.
- He strained his back lifting the box.
- She strained her neck turning too fast.
Verb
B1
action
3
make a strong effort
To try very hard to do something, sometimes too hard.
Usage pattern:
to strain to [do something]
Synonyms
struggle (Implies difficulty and resistance, not just effort.)
Antonyms
relax (Implies ease and lack of effort.)
Collocations
strain to hear
|strain to see
|strain every nerve
Themes
daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He strained to lift the heavy suitcase.
- She strained to hear what they were saying in the next room.
- They strained every nerve to finish the project on time.
Learner examples
- I strained to open the jar.
- She strained to see the sign in the dark.
- He strained to hear the music from outside.
Verb
A2
action
4
separate liquid from solids
To remove solids from a liquid by pouring it through something with small holes.
Usage pattern:
to strain [liquid/food]
Synonyms
filter (A broader term for removing unwanted material from liquids or gases.)
Antonyms
mix (Means to combine ingredients rather than separate them.)
Collocations
strain the pasta
|strain the sauce
|finely strain
Themes
cooking
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- Strain the pasta before adding the sauce.
- She strained the soup to remove the vegetables.
- After boiling the rice, strain off any excess water.
Learner examples
- Strain the tea before drinking it.
- He strained the juice to take out the seeds.
- We strained the pasta after cooking it.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
5
type within a species
A special type of plant, animal, or germ that is different from others of the same kind.
Synonyms
variant (Commonly used for viruses and other microorganisms.)
Antonyms
species (A broader classification that can contain many strains.)
Collocations
new strain
|virus strain
|resistant strain
Themes
science
Examples
- Scientists are studying a new strain of the flu virus.
- This strain of wheat grows well in dry climates.
- The bacteria developed a resistant strain after years of antibiotic use.
Learner examples
- There is a new strain of virus this year.
- This strain of rice grows fast.
- Doctors found a new strain of bacteria.
Grammar
Dictionary form
strain
IPA
GB/stɹˈeɪn/
US/stɹˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
strain (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (strain)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: strain
- Plural: strain, strains
Verb
- Base: strain
- 3rd Person Singular: strains
- Present Participle: straining
- Past: strained
Word family
Expressions
strain at the leash
1/stɹˈeɪn ˈæt ðə lˈiʃ/
idiom
be eager and impatient to start
To be very ready and wanting to start doing something quickly.
Examples
- The young athletes were straining at the leash before the competition began.
- She was straining at the leash to start her new job.
strain at the leash
1/stɹˈeɪn ˈæt ðə lˈiʃ/
idiom
eager but held back
To want to start quickly but be stopped from doing it.
Examples
- The team was straining at the leash to launch the new product.
- After months of training, she was straining at the leash to compete again.
- Investors are straining at the leash for signs of growth.
strain every nerve
1/stɹˈeɪn ˈɛvɹi nˈɚv/
idiom
make every possible effort
To try as hard as you can to do something.
Examples
- She strained every nerve to finish the race before sunset.
- They strained every nerve to meet the deadline.
under strain
1/ˈʌndɚ stɹˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
experiencing stress or pressure
Feeling stress or pressure because of problems or hard work.
Examples
- The team's defense was under strain during the final minutes of the match.
- His marriage has been under strain since he lost his job.