strum
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to play on (a stringed musical instrument) by running the fingers lightly across the strings.
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to produce (notes, a melody, etc.) by such playing.
to strum a tune.
verb (used without object)
noun
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the act of strumming.
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the sound produced by strumming.
noun
verb
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to sound (the strings of a guitar, banjo, etc) with a downward or upward sweep of the thumb or of a plectrum
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to play (chords, a tune, etc) in this way
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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strumsimple
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strumssimple
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have strummedperfect
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has strummedperfect
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am strummingprogressive
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are strummingprogressive
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is strummingprogressive
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have been strummingperfect progressive
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has been strummingperfect progressive
Past
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strummedsimple
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had strummedperfect
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was strummingprogressive
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were strummingprogressive
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had been strummingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing strum
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground
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Across So Many Seas
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Roberta Flack (1937–2025) Tribute List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Starting from when he was 11 years old, Armenta would write lyrics in journals and strum along to the guitar his brother bought him.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026
But the rigorous process of interviews, followed by group activities and then a 60-second showcase, sees Mr Hall cut before the chance to strum a chord in front of judges.
From BBC • Nov. 18, 2024
They strum and sing together in her kitchen and in the park, and she offers frank notes on his songs, the shared experience of making music allowing them to traverse oceans and continents.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2023
She briefly began to strum her guitar again before hastily exiting the stage.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2023
Livingston began to strum his guitar and sing.
From "Wolfie & Fly" by Cary Fagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
