strum

play

noun \ ˈstrəm \

Definition of strum

:an act, instance, or sound of strumming

Recent Examples of strum from the Web

Los Angeles-based and DJ and producer SAVI subs the track's original piano chords with twangy guitar strums, adding a lighthearted vibe.

— tatiana cirisano, Billboard, "Chainsmokers Share 6 Best 'Honest' Remixes: Listen," 4 Aug. 2017
After a brief guitar strum, the song's first verse hits square in the gut.

— chicagotribune.com, "Rejection made Sophie Nagelberg stronger, and musical," 18 July 2017
Kiesza is serving pure pop star over Bakermat's heart-racing beat, house piano melodies, and pop-rock guitar strums.

— kat bein, Billboard, "Bakermat and Kiesza Make Candy-Colored Disco Pop on 'Don't Want You Back': Premiere," 2 June 2017
The Fringe Factor: Carlisle never missed a beat despite his banjo twirling, twisting and flipping between strums.

— lania berger, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'There Aint No More: Death of a Folksinger' at Orlando Fringe Festival," 17 May 2017
What's cooler than this?@PGA_JohnDaly sinks the putt while his buddy strums on the guitar... and then the two break out into a duet.

— luke kerr-dineen, USA TODAY, "John Daly breaks into song after sinking putt," 11 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of strum

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1764

See Words from the same year

strum

verb

Definition of strum

strummed; strumming

transitive verb

1 a :to brush the fingers over the strings of (a musical instrument) in playing

strum a guitar

; also :¹thrum 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

See strum defined for English-language learners

See strum defined for kids

Examples of strum in a Sentence

He strummed a tune on the guitar.

Recent Examples of strum from the Web

The short-stature child stood tall with rock star hair twice as big as his head, strumming along.

— jared boyd, AL.com, "Watch this Alabama child play a gig with his favorite band at a Mobile concert," 30 Aug. 2017
The group has been having a grand time getting together to sing and strum for more than 20 years.

— erika schultz, The Seattle Times, "Ukulele group at West Seattle Senior Center welcomes young and old, expert and amateur," 28 Aug. 2017
But now, performer Matt Vogel will take the helm as the man behind the banjo-strumming green felt puppet.

— raisa bruner, Time, "The Puppeteer Behind Kermit the Frog Has Left His Role With The Muppets," 10 July 2017
Now Trump was in the White House, and Dawson's first Muslim resident was sitting in his living room, strumming his fingers on the arm of a chair.

— stephanie mccrummen, courant.com, "In A Midwestern Town That Went For Trump, A Muslim Doctor Tries To Understand His Neighbors," 3 July 2017
Now Trump was in the White House, and Dawson’s first Muslim resident was sitting in his living room, strumming his fingers on the arm of a chair.

— stephanie mccrummen, Washington Post, "When a Muslim doctor arrived in a rural Midwestern town, “it felt right.” But that feeling began to change after the election of Donald Trump.," 1 July 2017
Even Calvin Harris himself pops up in a Hawaiian shirt and mustache to strum some guitar as the technicolor wonderland flashes into new hues.

— raisa bruner, Time, "Here's Katy Perry Frolicking in a Psychedelic Garden for the 'Feels' Video," 27 June 2017
The only way to cope is to scream at each other while strumming guitars.

— brent mcknight, The Seattle Times, "‘Band Aid’ review: Quirky marital tale finds its rhythm," 26 June 2017
In the bathroom, a metal bra with similar styling. Slanted metal figures strumming guitars or playing football, sculptures on loan from Gallery Forty-Two, are on display throughout the house.

— amy bartner, Indianapolis Star, "Downtown Cribs: Steampunk penthouse a surprise twist," 25 June 2017

First Known Use of strum

1777

STRUM Defined for English Language Learners

strum

verb

Definition of strum for English Language Learners

: to play (a guitar or similar instrument) by moving your fingers across the strings
: to play (music) on a guitar, banjo, etc., by moving your fingers over the strings