thrum

¹

[thruhm]

verb (used without object)

thrummed, thrumming 

1. to play on a stringed instrument, as a guitar, by plucking the strings, especially in an idle, monotonous, or unskillful manner; strum.

2. to sound when thrummed on, as a guitar or similar stringed instrument.

3. to drum or tap idly with the fingers.

verb (used with object)

thrummed, thrumming 

1. to play (a stringed instrument, or a melody on it) by plucking the strings, especially in an idle, monotonous, or unskillful manner; strum.

2. to drum or tap idly on.

3. to recite or tell in a monotonous way.

noun

1. an act or sound of thrumming; dull, monotonous sound.

thrum

²

[thruhm]

noun

1. one of the ends of the warp threads in a loom, left unwoven and remaining attached to the loom when the web is cut off.

2. thrums, the row or fringe of such threads.

3. any short piece of waste thread or yarn; tuft, tassel, or fringe of threads, as at the edge of a piece of cloth.

4. Nautical.,  Often thrums short bits of rope yarn used for making mats.

verb (used with object)

thrummed, thrumming 

1. Nautical.,  to insert short pieces of rope yarn through (canvas) and thus give it a rough surface, as for wrapping about a part to prevent chafing.

2. to furnish or cover with thrums, ends of thread, or tufts.

thrum

¹

/ θrʌm /

noun

1. 1. any of the unwoven ends of warp thread remaining on the loom when the web has been removed

   2. such ends of thread collectively

2. a fringe or tassel of short unwoven threads

verb

1. (tr) to trim with thrums

thrum

²

/ θrʌm /

verb

1. to strum rhythmically but without expression on (a musical instrument)

2. (intr) to drum incessantly

   rain thrummed on the roof

3. to repeat (something) monotonously

noun

1. a repetitive strumming or recitation

Other Word Forms

• thrummer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrum¹

First recorded in 1545–55; imitative

Origin of thrum²

First recorded before 1000; Middle English noun thrum, thrum(m)e, “end-piece (from the warp of a loom)”, Old English -thrum (in tungethrum “ligament of the tongue”), cognate with Old High German drum “end-piece”; akin to Old Norse thrǫmr “brim, edge, verge,” Latin terminus, Greek térma “end”

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrum¹

C14: from Old English; related to Old High German drum remnant, Dutch dreum

Origin of thrum²

C16: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

The industrious thrum of the heavy-duty sewing machines, along with the workers' chatter, normally fills the plant with a reassuring rhythm.

Read more on BBC

But the sense of squandered opportunity is only heightened when you get to Don't Look Down - which marries a Bansuri flute motif to a thrumming trance beat.

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She’s always seeking her father, not just in Skinner the soldier but in herself too, the remnants of his presence thrumming through her memory.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Odell's voice, which tends towards the tremulous, thrums with emotional resonance, gently underscored by brushed drums and swelling strings.

Read more on BBC

But while Apple TV+’s Hollywood satire instills high anxiety, Netflix’s psychological crime drama, created by Jack Thorne and star Stephen Graham, which explores misogynist violence and cyberbullying, thrums with dread.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• croon 
• moan 
• mumble 
• murmur 
• purr 
• sing 
• strum 
• throb 
• trill 
• warble 
• whisper