strum

1 of 2

noun

ˈstrəm 

: an act, instance, or sound of strumming

strum

2 of 2

verb

strummed; strumming

transitive verb

1

a

: to brush the fingers over the strings of (a musical instrument) in playing

strum a guitar

also : thrum entry 1 sense 1

b

: to play (music) on a stringed instrument

strum a tune

2

: to cause to sound vibrantly

winds strummed the rigging

—H. A. Chippendale

intransitive verb

1

: to strum a stringed instrument

2

: to sound vibrantly

strummer noun

Examples of strum in a Sentence

Verb

He strummed a tune on the guitar.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Meanwhile, the acoustic strums and higher-register percussive hits sound bright and clear through these drivers. —PCMAG, 16 May 2024

Three strings—past, present, and future—unified in one connective strum. —Ayla Samli, Longreads, 14 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

imitative

First Known Use

Noun

1764, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1777, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

strum

verb

ˈstrəm

strummed; strumming

: to play a stringed instrument by brushing the strings with the fingers

strummer noun