verb / noun

strum

STRUM/strʌm/

A sweep of the fingers or a pick across a stringed instrument's strings.

The musician strums across the guitar's strings.

A seated older man strums an acoustic guitar, his right hand sweeping across all six strings over the sound hole while his left hand holds a chord.

Etymology

Strum may imitate the sound of fingers sweeping across strings. It originally meant playing unskillfully, then broadened to include casual playing without necessarily implying an unpleasant sound.

In context

Pow Music4:55

we don't have to worry about muting any strings and we can strum all the strings

5 Minute Beginner Strumming Workout & Technique Lesson! (How to Strum/Tutorial)

More examples

A gentle strum introduced the song.
He was strumming quietly on the porch.
The musician used a pick to strum the strings.

Forms

strum · strums · strummed · strumming

Similar words

pluck: Pluck usually sounds an individual string; strum sweeps across several strings.
pick: Pick can describe individual notes or strumming with a tool; strum identifies the sweeping motion.