strum

• POS: Verb (usu participle)

CIDE DICTIONARY

strum, v. t. & i. [Probably of imitative origin. Cf. Thrum.].

 To play on an instrument of music, or as on an instrument, in an unskillful or noisy way; to thrum; as, to strum a piano.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

strum, v. & n.
--v.tr. (strummed, strumming)
1 play on (a stringed or keyboard instrument), esp. carelessly or unskilfully.
2 play (a tune etc.) in this way.
--n. the sound made by strumming.

Derivative

strummer n.

Etymology

imit.: cf. THRUM(1)

ROGET THESAURUS

strum

Musician

VB play, pipe, strike up, sweep the chords, tweedle, fiddle, strike the lyre, beat the drum, blow the horn, sound the horn, wind the horn, doodle, grind the organ, touch the guitar, thrum, strum, beat time, execute, perform, accompany, sing a second, play a second, compose, set to music, arrange, sing, chaunt, chant, hum, warble, carol, chirp, chirrup, lilt, purl, quaver, trill, shake, twitter, whistle, sol-fa, intone, have an ear for music, have a musical ear, have a correct ear.