strut

1 of 3

verb (1)

strutted; strutting

intransitive verb

1
: to become turgid : swell
2
a
: to walk with a proud gait
b
: to walk with a pompous and affected air

transitive verb

: to parade (something, such as clothes) with a show of pride
strutter noun
struttingly adverb

strut

2 of 3

noun

1
: a structural piece designed to resist pressure in the direction of its length
2
: a pompous step or walk
3
: arrogant behavior : swagger

strut

3 of 3

verb (2)

strutted; strutting

transitive verb

: to provide, stiffen, support, or hold apart with or as if with a strut
Phrases
strut one's stuff
: to display one's best work : show off

Examples of strut in a Sentence

Verb (1) the cat strutted proudly onto the porch with a bird in its mouth strutting his blue ribbon for all to see Noun the strut of a supermodel
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.
Verb
Gadot struts around throwing her hands at odd angles. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 In a clip posted by Arlo's owner, Ellie McGee, who lives in Scotland, the pup was confidently strutting out of the vet's office, all four paws firmly on the ground. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
Clad in Siouxsie-like makeup, Gaga lip-syncs and struts, unchoreographed, across an artificial New York City apartment block, staring directly into the camera with the hunger of a woman on top of the world. Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025 Male turkeys gobble and strut, puffing out their feathers, to impress hens, who yelp and cluck in response. Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strut

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English strouten, from Old English strūtian to stand out stiffly, struggle; akin to Middle High German strozzen to be swollen

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of strut was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strut. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

strut

1 of 2 verb
strutted; strutting
1
: to walk in a stiff proud way
2
: to parade (as clothes) with a show of pride
strutter noun

strut

2 of 2 noun
1
: a bar or brace to resist pressure in the direction of its length
2
: a strutting step or walk

More from Merriam-Webster on strut

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