strunt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low / Obsolete / DialectalDialectal (Scots/Northern England), Archaic, Informal
Quick answer
What does “strunt” mean?
A Scottish and Northern English term for a sulk, bad mood, or fit of ill temper.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Scottish and Northern English term for a sulk, bad mood, or fit of ill temper.
Can refer to a person, especially a child, who is sulking or behaving in a petulant manner; sometimes used to describe a swaggering or strutting walk.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is exclusive to British English, specifically Scots and Northern English dialects. It is virtually unknown in American English.
Connotations
In its native dialect, it carries a familiar, often mildly humorous or affectionate connotation when describing a child's sulk. Outside its dialect area, it is seen as an obscure or archaic curiosity.
Frequency
Extremely rare in standard English. Its use is confined to regional speech, historical texts, or deliberate stylistic choices to evoke a Scottish/Northern flavour.
Grammar
How to Use “strunt” in a Sentence
[Subject] has/takes a strunt[Subject] is struntingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strunt” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bairn's been strunting all morning because he can't go out to play.
- Dinna strunt about it, just eat your porridge.
American English
- Not used in American English.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used in American English.
adjective
British English
- He had a right strunt look on his face.
- She's been strunt-faced since the argument.
American English
- Not used in American English.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or studies of Scots dialect.
Everyday
Only in specific regional dialects of Scotland and Northern England.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strunt”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it is a standard English word.
- Confusing it with 'strut' (to walk proudly).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare dialect word from Scotland and Northern England. It is not part of standard English vocabulary.
Yes, in its dialect context, it can be used as a verb meaning 'to sulk' or 'to be in a bad mood'.
The main risk is being misunderstood, as most English speakers will not know the word. It should only be used in contexts familiar with Scots dialect.
Historically, there may be a connection in some obsolete senses related to walking proudly or stiffly, but in modern dialect use, the primary meaning is related to sulking.
A Scottish and Northern English term for a sulk, bad mood, or fit of ill temper.
Strunt is usually dialectal (scots/northern england), archaic, informal in register.
Strunt: in British English it is pronounced /strʌnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /strʌnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To take the strunt (to take offence or sulk)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a child STRUTting off in a huff after being told 'no' – they STRUT away in a STRUNT.
Conceptual Metaphor
BAD MOOD IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT ONE POSSESSES (e.g., 'he has a strunt').
Practice
Quiz
In which regional dialect is the word 'strunt' primarily found?