thrum
1 Americanverb (used without object)
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to play on a stringed instrument, as a guitar, by plucking the strings, especially in an idle, monotonous, or unskillful manner; strum.
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to sound when thrummed on, as a guitar or similar stringed instrument.
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to drum or tap idly with the fingers.
verb (used with object)
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to play (a stringed instrument, or a melody on it) by plucking the strings, especially in an idle, monotonous, or unskillful manner; strum.
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to drum or tap idly on.
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to recite or tell in a monotonous way.
noun
noun
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one of the ends of the warp threads in a loom, left unwoven and remaining attached to the loom when the web is cut off.
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thrums, the row or fringe of such threads.
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any short piece of waste thread or yarn; tuft, tassel, or fringe of threads, as at the edge of a piece of cloth.
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Nautical. Often thrums short bits of rope yarn used for making mats.
verb (used with object)
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Nautical. to insert short pieces of rope yarn through (canvas) and thus give it a rough surface, as for wrapping about a part to prevent chafing.
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to furnish or cover with thrums, ends of thread, or tufts.
noun
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any of the unwoven ends of warp thread remaining on the loom when the web has been removed
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such ends of thread collectively
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a fringe or tassel of short unwoven threads
verb
verb
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to strum rhythmically but without expression on (a musical instrument)
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(intr) to drum incessantly
rain thrummed on the roof
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to repeat (something) monotonously
noun
Other Word Forms
- thrummer noun
Etymology
Origin of thrum1
First recorded in 1545–55; imitative
Origin of thrum2
First recorded before 1000; Middle English noun thrum, thrum(m)e, “end-piece (from the warp of a loom)”, Old English -thrum (in tungethrum “ligament of the tongue”), cognate with Old High German drum “end-piece”; akin to Old Norse thrǫmr “brim, edge, verge,” Latin terminus, Greek térma “end”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I listened to the deep thrum of the apple tree, which echoed my own heart.
From Literature
A generator thrums into life and the dancing begins anew.
From Barron's
In that moment, with so much bitterness thrumming inside him, he needed this sweetness.
From Literature
The wind whipped Mal’s hair into her face, and she let out an audible thrum of happiness.
From Literature
“Not exactly a job description,” Ray says as we shoot along in the fast lane listening to R&B music, which thrums through the floor.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
