strum

IPA/strʌm/
KK[strˈʌm]IPA/strʌm/

strum — verb

  • strumpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • strumshe / she / it
  • strummedpast simple
  • strumming-ing form

1. to run your hand back and forth across the strings of a musical instrument such

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to run your hand back and forth across the strings of a musical instrument such as a guitar, producing a relaxed or steady sound.

Example

Mei sat on the porch steps and began to strum her uncle's old acoustic guitar.

transitive: strum + instrument

Omar likes to strum a few quiet chords before the band starts playing.

strum + chords as object

Common collocations
  • strum a guitar
  • strum a chord
  • strum a tune
  • strum on the strings
  • gently strum
  • softly strum
Synonyms
  • pluck

    pulling individual strings one at a time rather than brushing across them

  • pick

    using a plectrum (pick) rather than the fingers; can be more precise

Grammar Patterns

strum + instrument

strum + on + instrument

strum + chords/tune

Usage Note

The object of the transitive pattern is always the instrument (strum a guitar) or the chords/tune produced (strum a chord), never a song title. Use 'play' for that: 'He played "Hotel California" on the guitar.'

Common Mistakes

He strummed a song on the guitar.
He played a song on the guitar.
strum describes the hand motion on the strings; 'play' is used for complete pieces of music.
She strummed the piano.
She strummed the guitar.
strumming is specific to stringed instruments with multiple strings played together.

strum — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three words describe how a musician uses their hands or a tool on the strings of an instrument. 'Strum' specifically means brushing the fingers across several strings at once, producing chords and a full, rhythmic sound — it is the most relaxed and casual of the three. 'Pluck' means pulling a single string and releasing it, producing one clear note at a time; guitarists pluck individual melody notes. 'Pick' means using a small plastic or metal plectrum (a pick) to strike the strings, which gives a sharper, more defined tone than strumming with the bare fingers. A player might strum the rhythm of a folk song, pluck the opening notes of a classical piece, and pick the fast solo of a rock tune.

strum ↗pluck ↗pick ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • strum a few chords
  • give a gentle strum
  • the strum of a guitar

Prepositions

Etymology

English (imitative)

The word 'strum' first appeared in English in the late 1700s. It was likely created as an imitative word (onomatopoeia) meant to copy the sound of someone running their fingers across the strings of a guitar or similar instrument. It may also have been influenced by older words like 'thrum', which described the sound of a spinning wheel or loom.