strummed; strumming
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
H. A. Chippendale
strummer
noun
Examples of strum in a Sentence
Verb
He strummed a tune on the guitar.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
As the Argentinian-Swedish artist sings about philosophy, nature, and human nature, his pastoral guitar strums will relieve as much stress as an afternoon of forest-bathing.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Frontman Matt Myers wrote much of the record at home while strumming a Martin acoustic in his kitchen as the sun came through the windows.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strum
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
Feel free to bring your ukulele and strum along to Beatles songs.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
As the Argentinian-Swedish artist sings about philosophy, nature, and human nature, his pastoral guitar strums will relieve as much stress as an afternoon of forest-bathing.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
The music video featured a montage of Miley Cyrus' early days, as her somber dad strummed the guitar.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Frontman Matt Myers wrote much of the record at home while strumming a Martin acoustic in his kitchen as the sun came through the windows.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strum
Cite this Entry
“Strum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strum. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
