strum

1 of 2

noun

: an act, instance, or sound of strumming

strum

2 of 2

verb

strummed; strumming

transitive verb

1
a
: to brush the fingers over the strings of (a musical instrument) in playing
strum a guitar
b
: to play (music) on a stringed instrument
strum a tune
2
: to cause to sound vibrantly
winds strummed the riggingH. A. Chippendale

intransitive verb

1
: to strum a stringed instrument
2
: to sound vibrantly
strummer noun

Examples of strum in a Sentence

Verb He strummed a tune on the guitar.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
When the track properly kicks in, the different elements of the busy mix all come through, though the low-mids of the bassline and mids of the vocals stand in the front while the guitar strums and drums sit a bit further back. PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024 There's a six-dot strum zone to sound arpeggios and the fingerboard is divided into zones for chords that can be extended up or down if songs rock more than seven chords. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
In the clip, the group happily sings along to the 1983 hit, with some performers strumming along on guitars. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2024 Here the songs begin with her spare yet painterly Liz Phair strumming and build into Pet Sounds-like micro epics. Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for strum 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

imitative

First Known Use

Noun

1764, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1777, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of strum was in 1764

Dictionary Entries Near strum

Cite this Entry

“Strum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strum. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

strum

verb
ˈstrəm
strummed; strumming
: to play a stringed instrument by brushing the strings with the fingers
strummer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on strum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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