strum

1 of 2

noun

ˈstrəm 

: 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

Noun

The two had strum-thing special on the Tunnel of Love tour in the summer of 1988. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026

As the sun sets, the fruit bats swoop among the trees as couples and young families lounge on large poolside cabanas, downing languid cocktails and listening to live guitar strums before heading for a casual dinner. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026

Verb

Instead, Winter was a focused musical presence, throwing himself into the songs, intensely strumming his guitar on the thrashiest material, moving his frame to match every shift in vocal tone. — Steve Knopper, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026

Guitar strums peak through the mix like fresh blades of grass and sweeping drums gently carry the songs forward, while Lenae sounds sweeter than ever, her airy vocals chasing the wind like white dandelion puffs. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026

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

Rhymes for strum

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

Kids Definition

strum

verb

ˈstrəm

strummed; strumming

: to play a stringed instrument by brushing the strings with the fingers

strummer noun