Word
strumming
Phoneticsstrum·ming, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɹəmɪŋ/
UK/stɹˈʌmɪŋ/
Definition
v. to play a guitar by moving your fingers across the strings. You do it to make soft chords for a song.
v. to play a stringed instrument by sweeping the fingers or a pick across the strings to sound chords in sequence.
Examples
“She is strumming her guitar in the park.”
“He keeps strumming the same three chords while he practices his new song.”
“From the porch, she could hear her neighbor strumming softly, the loose chords drifting through the warm evening air.”
Examples
simple
“She is strumming her guitar in the park.”
contextual
“He keeps strumming the same three chords while he practices his new song.”
complex
“From the porch, she could hear her neighbor strumming softly, the loose chords drifting through the warm evening air.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “strumming” in context.
Verb
01. enjoy strumming
“She really enjoys strumming simple chords with friends.”
verb + noun
02. hear strumming
“I could hear strumming coming from the music room upstairs.”
verb + noun
03. practise strumming
“He practises strumming for ten minutes every evening.”
verb + noun
04. sing to strumming
“Everyone started to sing to his cheerful strumming.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. gentle strumming
“We could hear gentle strumming from the guitarist backstage.”
adj + noun
06. rhythmic strumming
“The song starts with lively, rhythmic strumming on acoustic guitar.”
adj + noun
07. soft strumming
“Her soft strumming suited the quiet love song perfectly.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. rhythm of strumming
“Follow the steady rhythm of strumming to stay in time.”
noun + prep + noun
09. accompany the song with strumming
“She accompanied the song with gentle strumming on her guitar.”
10. hear gentle strumming outside
“We could hear gentle strumming outside around the campfire.”
11. keep strumming along with us
“Just keep strumming along with us and don't worry about mistakes.”
12. practise soft strumming daily
“Practise soft strumming daily to build a smooth, even sound.”
Usage
The verb is transitive or intransitive; the object names the instrument or chord played.
Real-World Examples
“The first thing you hear on Ride Lonesome is a softly strummed acoustic guitar, echoey pedal steel and Beck’s voice.” “One of the most iconic items in George Michael’s career, the acoustic guitar he energetically strummed in the video for 1987’s Faith, is going up for auction.” “The “solo” version lops off the lo-fi intro and features Ocean’s urgent vocal over an unhurried beat and languidly strummed acoustic guitar.” “A recording captured during the six-hour operation for a brain tumor features the multi-instrumentalist and university educator lying on an operating table, with medical personnel around him, strumming the strings of his guitar.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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