strum
MediumNeutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
To play a stringed instrument by brushing the strings with the fingers or a plectrum.
To produce a sound by such an action; to handle or touch something lightly and repeatedly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a casual, rhythmic, or repetitive action, often associated with relaxed playing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties, suggesting informal music-making.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive: strum + nounintransitive: strum + on + nounVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “strum one's heartstrings”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; occasionally metaphorical, e.g., 'strum up interest'.
Academic
Used in musicology or performance studies.
Everyday
Common when discussing playing string instruments casually.
Technical
In music, refers to a specific technique for string instruments.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He strummed his guitar quietly in the garden.
- They love to strum folk songs on the ukulele.
American English
- She strummed the banjo on the front porch.
- He strummed a few chords during the campfire.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I can strum a simple song on the guitar.
- She strums the ukulele every day.
- He strummed the guitar while singing his favorite tune.
- The children strummed the strings happily.
- The musician strummed the classical guitar with great precision.
- She strummed a complex rhythm during the performance.
- Throughout the concert, he adeptly strummed intricate patterns on the sitar.
- Her ability to strum while improvising melodies impressed the audience.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'strum' as 'string drum' – you drum on the strings of an instrument.
Conceptual Metaphor
MAKING MUSIC IS TOUCHING OR CARESSING
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- The Russian word 'бренчать' can mean 'to strum' but often implies playing poorly or noisily.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'strum' for wind instruments; confusing 'strum' with 'stroke'.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'strum' typically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for any stringed instrument such as ukuleles, banjos, mandolins, etc.
Yes, though less common; as a noun, it refers to the sound or action of strumming, e.g., 'the gentle strum of the guitar'.
'Strum' involves brushing multiple strings simultaneously or in sequence, while 'pluck' typically means pulling individual strings to produce notes.
It is pronounced /strʌm/, similar to British English, with the 'u' sound as in 'cup'.