What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
thrum
Example
The thrum of the engine lulled me to sleep. [thrum: noun]
Example
She thrummed her fingers on the table, waiting for the meeting to start. [thrummed: past tense verb]
strum
Example
He strummed his guitar, singing softly to himself. [strummed: past tense verb]
Example
The melody was accompanied by the gentle strumming of the harp. [strumming: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Strum is more commonly used than thrum in everyday language, particularly in the context of playing musical instruments. Thrum is less common and tends to be used in more specialized or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between thrum and strum?
Both thrum and strum are relatively informal words, but thrum may be slightly more technical or specialized in tone due to its association with vibrations and machinery.
