strum

¹ American  

[struhm] / strʌm /

verb (used with object)

strummed, strumming

1. to play on (a stringed musical instrument) by running the fingers lightly across the strings.

2. to produce (notes, a melody, etc.) by such playing.

   to strum a tune.

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verb (used without object)

strummed, strumming

1. to play on a stringed musical instrument by running the fingers lightly across the strings.

noun

1. the act of strumming.

2. the sound produced by strumming.

strum ² American  

[struhm] / strʌm /

noun

1. a strainer, as at the inlet of a system of tubing.

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strum British  

/ strʌm /

verb

1. to sound (the strings of a guitar, banjo, etc) with a downward or upward sweep of the thumb or of a plectrum

2. to play (chords, a tune, etc) in this way

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Other Word Forms

• strummer noun

Etymology

Origin of strum¹

1765–75; perhaps blend of string and thrum ¹

Origin of strum²

Origin uncertain

Explanation

To strum is to play a guitar or another stringed instrument by brushing the strings with your fingers. It's pretty easy to strum a ukulele, but it sounds better if you know some chords. You might tell the guitar player in your band, "Strum a few chords of that song we wrote yesterday." You can also strum idly on your sister's banjo without playing actual chords, just by running your thumb down the strings. Strum is a noun, too, meaning "the sound or act of strumming." This word dates from the 18th century, and experts think it's imitative, sounding a bit like an actual strum.

Example Sentences

"I've wanted to take up the guitar ever since I seen my granda play. I was only six or seven when I started trying to strum his guitar."

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2025

The music is an arena-country crescendo, from acoustic-guitar strum to full-band impact topped by pedal-steel guitar, along with gospel-organ underpinnings and country quavers in Beyoncé’s vocal lines.

From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2024

Ever since a couple of bandmates were late to rehearsal a decade earlier, when DeBardi first realized he could strum a guitar and strike a drum in the same motion, he’d occasionally performed solo.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 16, 2024

And because the musicians play so precisely onstage — each strum in place, each groove just right — the songs differed little from the versions permanently stored in your head.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2024

Beside him, seven-foot-tall twins strum hologram guitars and sing a song of gratitude for safe sisters and two-spirit relatives.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith