strum

1 of 2

noun

ˈstrəm How to pronounce strum (audio)
: 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
also : thrum entry 1 sense 1
b
: to play (music) on a stringed instrument
strum a tune
2
: to cause to sound vibrantly
… winds strummed the rigging …—H. 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
Every strum of her guitar and every song the band performs directly benefits the Rapha Clinic. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 The ballad finds Fontaines’ Grian Chatten and Rosalía trading lines over a moody acoustic strum that repeatedly swells with strings and clattering drums. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
Phil Ochs strummed his guitar and pronounced every single letter of every single word. — Madeline Ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 On the other, evidence suggests this pair of habitual time-wasters were commonly found on the floor, running laughter through a Yamaha SPX90 effects processor for kicks and strumming the same note for 40-odd minutes. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for strum

See All Rhymes for strum

Browse Nearby Words

Struldbrug
strum
struma
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strum. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

strum

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