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.

As they shot the breeze, McCartney started strumming.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

“Too many people that don’t know Mississippi think of it as a river, steamboats and some old guy strumming a banjo on a broken porch,” says Mr. Carswell.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

Women wearing long wigs and ornate traditional dresses milled around a pebbled courtyard, stopping to snap photos under a pavilion, as the melodious strumming of the Chinese zither played in the background.

From Barron's • Nov. 14, 2025

Toward the end of the six-minute song, Chalamet strode into the shadows and reemerged with an acoustic guitar in hand, strumming it for a moment before smashing it to bits as Dylan’s song concluded.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2025

My uncle sat in the small chair at the foot of my bed and started strumming his guitar.

From "Harbor Me" by Jacqueline Woodson