thrum
1 of 4verb (1)
ˈthrəm 
thrummed; thrumming
intransitive verb
1
: to sound with a monotonous hum
2
: to play or pluck a stringed instrument idly : strum
transitive verb
1
: to play (something, such as a stringed instrument) in an idle or relaxed manner
2
: to recite tiresomely or monotonously
thrum
2 of 4noun (1)
: the monotonous sound of thrumming
thrum
3 of 4noun (2)
1
a(1)
: a fringe of warp threads left on the loom after the cloth has been removed
(2)
: one of these warp threads
b
: a tuft or short piece of rope yarn used in thrumming canvas —usually used in plural
c
: bit, particle
2
: a hair, fiber, or threadlike leaf on a plant
also : a tuft or fringe of such structures
thrum adjective
thrum
4 of 4verb (2)
thrummed; thrumming
transitive verb
1
: to furnish with thrums : fringe
2
: to insert short pieces of rope yarn or spun yarn in (a piece of canvas) to make a rough surface or a mat which can be wrapped about rigging to prevent chafing
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- burr
- buzz
- chirr
- churr
- drone
- hum
- purr
- whir
- whirr
- whiz
- whizz
- zoom
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
imitative
Noun (2)
Middle English, from Old English -thrum (in tungethrum ligament of the tongue); akin to Old High German drum fragment
First Known Use
Verb (1)
1592, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2
Noun (1)
1798, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
thrum
verb
ˈthrəm
thrummed; thrumming
: to play a stringed instrument idly : strum
thrums 1 of 2
noun
as in hums
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion the steady thrum of the turbines in the power plant Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- hums
- purrs
- buzzes
- whispers
- rustles
- whirs
- drones
- whirrs
- sighs
- zooms
- burrs
- murmurs
- moans
- whizzes
- gurgles
- gasps
- babbles
- chirrs
- zings
- hisses
- coos
- churrs
- zips
- suspirations
- susurrations
- susurruses
- whishes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- screams
- shrieks
- screeches
- roars
- squeals
- howls
- yells
- yelps
- squalls
- bawls
thrums
2 of 2verb
as in whispers
Synonyms & Similar Words
- whispers
- hisses
- sighs
- hums
- fizzes
- purrs
- murmurs
- whirs
- sizzles
- swishes
- whirrs
- buzzes
- rustles
- whooshes
- whistles
- wheezes
- drones
- burrs
- coos
- whizzes
- zips
- zooms
- bumbles
- currs
- whishes
- churrs
- chirrs