thrum

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈthrəm 

thrummed; thrumming

intransitive verb

1

: to sound with a monotonous hum

2

: to play or pluck a stringed instrument idly : strum

transitive verb

1

: to play (something, such as a stringed instrument) in an idle or relaxed manner

2

: to recite tiresomely or monotonously

thrum

2 of 4

noun (1)

: the monotonous sound of thrumming

thrum

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

a(1)

: a fringe of warp threads left on the loom after the cloth has been removed

(2)

: one of these warp threads

b

: a tuft or short piece of rope yarn used in thrumming canvas

—usually used in plural

c

: bit, particle

2

: a hair, fiber, or threadlike leaf on a plant

also : a tuft or fringe of such structures

thrum adjective

thrum

4 of 4

verb (2)

thrummed; thrumming

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with thrums : fringe

2

: to insert short pieces of rope yarn or spun yarn in (a piece of canvas) to make a rough surface or a mat which can be wrapped about rigging to prevent chafing

Synonyms of thrum

Noun (1)

• hum
• purr
• buzz
• whisper

Examples of thrum in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the steady thrum of the turbines in the power plant

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The play takes place inside a giant drain pipe constructed on the stage, and underneath it all thrums a destabilizing Lynchian sound design of moody ambience. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025

Decades of migrations, the earth thrumming under their hooves. —Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025

Noun

On her sixth album, the Glaswegian singer-songwriter and painter sweeps away the lines between voice and fingers, fingers and guitar, guitar and the thrum of Oliver Coates’ cello. —Pitchfork, 2 Dec. 2025

Welch has always had a flair for the gothic, but the specter of death hangs over Everybody Scream as brightly as sunlight, amping up the urgent thrum of her music. —Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

imitative

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English -thrum (in tungethrum ligament of the tongue); akin to Old High German drum fragment

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1592, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Noun (1)

1798, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thrum

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

Kids Definition

thrum

verb

ˈthrəm

thrummed; thrumming

: to sound or speak with a steady or boring rhythm

thrum noun