strum

UK: strʌm | US: strʌm

Definition

  1. vt. to play (a stringed instrument) by sweeping the fingers lightly across the strings

  2. n. the act or sound of strumming

Structure
strum <imitative of sound>
Etymology

The word "strum" is an onomatopoeic term, mimicking the sound produced when fingers sweep across the strings of a guitar or similar instrument. First recorded in the late 18th century, it reflects the direct imitation of the rhythmic, often casual sound of such playing. As a non-compound word with no clear morpheme boundaries, it is not further segmented.

Examples

  1. She sat on the porch and began to strum her guitar softly.

  2. The gentle strum of the ukulele filled the room.

  3. He learned to strum chords before mastering fingerpicking.

  4. The musician’s careless strum annoyed the perfectionist conductor.

  5. A distant strum echoed from the beachside campfire.