strategy
gb/stɹˈætəd͡ʒi/ us/stɹˈætəd͡ʒi/
B1
English
~ 1200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Plan for achieving a goal
A plan of actions made to reach a goal.
Usage pattern:
a strategy for [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'strategy' with 'tactic'. Strategy is the overall plan, while tactics are the specific steps to carry it out.
Synonyms
plan (More general and can be less detailed or long-term than a strategy.)
|
tactic (Usually refers to a specific action within a larger strategy.)
Antonyms
improvisation (Acting without a pre-made plan, opposite of having a strategy.)
Collocations
develop a strategy
|long-term strategy
|marketing strategy
|military strategy
|winning strategy
Themes
business
|military
|planning
|sports
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Our company has developed a new strategy to increase market share.
- The team's strategy was to defend in the first half and attack in the second.
- Good strategy is essential in chess.
- Their election strategy focused on winning support from young voters.
Learner examples
- We need a new strategy to win the game.
- Her strategy is to study a little every day.
- The teacher used a new teaching strategy.
- The army changed its strategy during the war.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
Planning military operations
The skill of making plans for war or battles.
Synonyms
warfare planning (A more literal term for organizing war actions.)
Antonyms
tactical execution (Carrying out specific actions rather than planning the overall war.)
Collocations
military strategy
|battlefield strategy
|naval strategy
Themes
military
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The general outlined his military strategy before the troops moved out.
- Ancient military strategy often relied on deception.
- Their naval strategy involved blockading enemy ports.
Learner examples
- The general talked about his military strategy.
- In history class, we learned about Roman military strategy.
- The army changed its military strategy.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Method for solving problems or competing
A way of doing something to solve a problem or win.
Usage pattern:
a strategy to [do something]
Synonyms
approach (A general way of dealing with something; can be broader than 'strategy'.)
Antonyms
randomness (Acting without a planned approach.)
Collocations
learning strategy
|coping strategy
|game strategy
Themes
education
|games
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She used a clever strategy to solve the puzzle.
- Developing a good learning strategy can help students succeed.
- His coping strategy was to take regular breaks during stressful work.
Learner examples
- I have a good strategy for this game.
- Her learning strategy helps her remember words.
- He made a new strategy to finish the work faster.
Grammar
Dictionary form
strategy
IPA
GB/stɹˈætəd͡ʒi/
US/stɹˈætəd͡ʒi/
Syllables & stress
strategy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (strategy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: strategy
- Plural: strategies
Word family
Expressions
game plan
1/ɡˈeɪm plˈæn/
fixed phrase
informal
Detailed plan for success
A plan that explains how you will try to win or succeed in something.
Examples
- What's our game plan for today's meeting?
- The coach explained the game plan before the match.
grand strategy
1/ɡɹˈænd stɹˈætəd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
formal
Overarching long-term plan
A big plan that controls smaller plans to reach one important goal.
Examples
- The nation's grand strategy focuses on economic growth and security.
- In business, grand strategy sets the direction for all departments.
military strategy
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi stɹˈætəd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
Plan for war or operations
A plan for how an army will fight and win a war.
Examples
- Military strategy has changed greatly with new technology.
- He studied ancient military strategies at university.
exit strategy
1/ˈɛksɪt stɹˈætəd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
Plan for leaving safely or successfully
A plan for how to leave a situation in a safe or good way.
Examples
- Investors should always have an exit strategy before putting in money.
- Every investor should have an exit strategy before buying shares.
- The soldiers prepared an exit strategy in case the mission failed.
- They discussed their exit strategy in case negotiations failed.
marketing strategy
1/mˈɑɹkɪtɪŋ stɹˈætəd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
Plan for promoting and selling
A plan for how to tell people about a product and make them want to buy it.
Examples
- Our marketing strategy focuses on social media engagement.
- They developed a new marketing strategy to target younger audiences.
marketing strategy
2/mˈɑɹkɪtɪŋ stɹˈætəd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
Plan for promoting products/services
A plan to make people want to buy products or services.
Examples
- Their marketing strategy includes social media ads and free samples.
- A clear marketing strategy is key to attracting customers.