strut

1 of 3

verb (1)

strutted; strutting

intransitive verb

1
: to become turgid : swell
2
a
: to walk with a proud gait
b
: to walk with a pompous and affected air

transitive verb

: to parade (something, such as clothes) with a show of pride
strutter noun
struttingly adverb

strut

2 of 3

noun

1
: a structural piece designed to resist pressure in the direction of its length
2
: a pompous step or walk
3
: arrogant behavior : swagger

strut

3 of 3

verb (2)

strutted; strutting

transitive verb

: to provide, stiffen, support, or hold apart with or as if with a strut
Phrases
strut one's stuff
: to display one's best work : show off

Examples of strut in a Sentence

Verb (1) the cat strutted proudly onto the porch with a bird in its mouth strutting his blue ribbon for all to see Noun the strut of a supermodel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
During the show, Kai emerged from a red stall door and strutted down the red runway. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 11 June 2025 In a world of neon, glitter and stiletto boots, Cyrus writhes against walls and struts down sidewalks, notably the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 June 2025
Noun
Within seconds, a new dancer struts onto the stage for her turn to shine. Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2025 In the clip, Max struts through the streets, lounges on a rooftop, and cranks up her own music on the stereo. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for strut

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English strouten, from Old English strūtian to stand out stiffly, struggle; akin to Middle High German strozzen to be swollen

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of strut was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strut. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

strut

1 of 2 verb
strutted; strutting
1
: to walk in a stiff proud way
2
: to parade (as clothes) with a show of pride
strutter noun

strut

2 of 2 noun
1
: a bar or brace to resist pressure in the direction of its length
2
: a strutting step or walk

More from Merriam-Webster on strut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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