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 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

The passionate sweep of a violin bow, propelled by the strum of guitar and a synth-pop beat. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

When the track properly kicks in, all of the elements of the busy mix from the low-mids and up are well balanced, with the drums, guitar strums, and vocals all easily discerned. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026

Dressed in jeans, a black T-shirt and black leather jacket, Buckingham strummed a burgundy electric guitar and joined Sombr on the song’s iconic chorus refrain. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Oct. 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