thrum

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈthrəm 

thrummed; thrumming

intransitive verb

1

: to sound with a monotonous hum

2

: to play or pluck a stringed instrument idly : strum

transitive verb

1

: to play (something, such as a stringed instrument) in an idle or relaxed manner

2

: to recite tiresomely or monotonously

thrum

2 of 4

noun (1)

: the monotonous sound of thrumming

thrum

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

a(1)

: a fringe of warp threads left on the loom after the cloth has been removed

(2)

: one of these warp threads

b

: a tuft or short piece of rope yarn used in thrumming canvas

—usually used in plural

c

: bit, particle

2

: a hair, fiber, or threadlike leaf on a plant

also : a tuft or fringe of such structures

thrum adjective

thrum

4 of 4

verb (2)

thrummed; thrumming

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with thrums : fringe

2

: to insert short pieces of rope yarn or spun yarn in (a piece of canvas) to make a rough surface or a mat which can be wrapped about rigging to prevent chafing

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• burr
• buzz
• chirr
• churr
• drone
• hum
• purr
• whir
• whirr
• whiz
• whizz
• zoom

Examples of thrum in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the steady thrum of the turbines in the power plant

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But thrumming in the background of the abundance books is an almost rhythmic impatience with the pace of change and technology. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025

Dialogue is nearly nonexistent, but the film thrums with a kinetic musical rhythm. —Barry Levitt, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025

Noun

This thrum of uneasiness further escalates in the third episode, where Jamie is visited by Briony (Erin Doherty), a therapist assigned to evaluate his mental health prior to trial. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025

And the thrill of a deep, one-day discount has morphed into a numbing, month-long thrum of flash sales, Cyber Monday specials, and member appreciation events. —Lavanya Ramanathan, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

imitative

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English -thrum (in tungethrum ligament of the tongue); akin to Old High German drum fragment

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1592, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Noun (1)

1798, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thrum

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• from
• frum
• glum
• gum

Kids Definition

thrum

verb

ˈthrəm

thrummed; thrumming

: to sound or speak with a steady or boring rhythm

thrum noun