strut

¹

[ struht ]

verb (used without object)

, strut·ted, strut·ting.

1. to walk with a vain, pompous bearing, as with head erect and chest thrown out, as if expecting to impress observers.

   Synonyms: flourish, parade

noun

1. the act of strutting.
2. a strutting walk or gait.

strut

²

[ struht ]

noun

1. any of various structural members, as in trusses, primarily intended to resist longitudinal compression.

verb (used with object)

, strut·ted, strut·ting.

1. to brace or support by means of a strut or struts.

strut

/ strʌt /

verb

1. intr to walk in a pompous manner; swagger
2. tr to support or provide with struts
3. strut one's stuff informal.
   to behave or perform in a proud and confident manner; show off

noun

1. a structural member used mainly in compression, esp as part of a framework
2. an affected, proud, or stiff walk

Derived Forms

• ˈstrutting, adjective
• ˈstrutter, noun
• ˈstruttingly, adverb

Other Words From

• strutter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of strut¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English strouten “to protrude stiffly, swell, bluster,” Old English strūtian “to struggle,” derivative of unattested strūt (whence Middle English strut “strife”)

Origin of strut²

First recorded in 1565–75; obscurely akin to strut ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of strut¹

C14 strouten (in the sense: swell, stand out; C16: to walk stiffly), from Old English strūtian to stand stiffly; related to Low German strutt stiff

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. strut one's stuff, to dress, behave, perform, etc., one's best in order to impress others; show off.

Synonym Study

Strut and swagger refer especially to carriage in walking. Strut implies swelling pride or pompousness; to strut is to walk with a stiff, pompous, seemingly affected or self-conscious gait: A turkey struts about the barnyard. Swagger implies a domineering, sometimes jaunty, superiority or challenge, and a self-important manner: to swagger down the street.

Example Sentences

The researchers focused on truss structures—those crisscross arrays of diagonal struts used in everything from antenna towers to support beams.

From MIT Technology Review

Despite the strut, the band considered the output a cheap replica of themselves.

From Washington Post

The anthemic chorus is infused with a snappy energy, one that compels the listener to transform any leisurely stroll into an imagined runway strut when the rap verses beginning with “I’m on the next level” start to play.

From Time

The four metal rings that surrounded Smith’s lower leg were cut in half and welded into the shape of a football and the triangular base of the trophy, and the original struts and connecting rods were reconfigured into the stem.

From Washington Post

The solid metal frame and triangle strut ensure the stability, letting you enjoy your work or study on this table.

From Popular-Science

The Oscars, the Emmies, whatever, the pre-show style strut became a kind of catwalk of the stars.

From The Daily Beast

The soldier launches into a comical strut and pretends to polish his guard box with his knuckles.

From The Daily Beast

Johnny climbs out of the plane, locks his hands around the wheel strut.

From The Daily Beast

Her curves found a way to strut through baggy denim in Nights in Rodanthe.

From The Daily Beast

Her skintight sparkly black dress did not look too easy to strut down the catwalk in.

From The Daily Beast

Children, in brilliant night robes, run to the verandas to see the early sun; cocks strut in pigmy gardens.

From Project Gutenberg

It had to do with squared shoulders, the lift of the head, a strut, a proud and contemptuous glance.

From Project Gutenberg

It appealed to their sense of humor to have the gall to strut right out in front of us and try to put over a swindle.

From Project Gutenberg

My father is Irish, and if you want to see him get up and strut give him a teeny opening to enlarge on his race.

From Project Gutenberg

Send all these noble lords of yesterday to sleep in their beds of down, to strut about in their castles.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• prance
• sashay
• stalk
• stride
• swagger