strum

[ struhm ]

/ strʌm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR strum ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), strummed, strum·ming.

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

to produce (notes, a melody, etc.) by such playing: to strum a tune.

verb (used without object), strummed, strum·ming.

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

noun

the act of strumming.

the sound produced by strumming.

RELATED WORDS

plunk, pluck, pick

Nearby words

Origin of strum

1765–75; perhaps blend of string and thrum¹

Related formsstrum·mer, noun

strum

[ struhm ]

/ strʌm /

noun

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

Origin of strum

origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for strum

An airy acoustic guitar begins to strum; a synthesized orchestra begins to swell.
‘Reflektor’ Makes Arcade Fire the Biggest Band in the World|Andrew Romano|October 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When Guy answered affirmatively, the stranger brought Guy to his apartment to strum some tunes for his wife.
‘When I Left Home’: The Life of Buddy Guy|Luke Epplin|June 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Colonel had reseated himself in his hammock, and had begun to strum the jarana again, with more power than accuracy.
The Rebel Chief|Gustave Aimard
If one hears in the distance an almost heavenly music, it is the song of a lady to the strum of a guitar.
Chats on Japanese Prints|Arthur Davison Ficke

We pack off our sons to cram themselves with Greek and Latin, and put our daughters down to strum at the piano.
They and I|Jerome K. Jerome
The guitar goes on—strum—strum—strum—a low monotonous jingle, just two or three chords.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 66, No. 410, December 1849|Various
And without waiting an answer he began to strum the symphony.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 4 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for strum

strum

/ (strʌm) /

verb strums, strumming or strummed

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

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

Derived Formsstrummer, noun

Word Origin for strum

C18: probably of imitative origin; see thrum 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for strum

strum

1775, possibly imitative of the sound of running the fingers across the strings of a musical instrument. Related: Strummed; strumming.