Meaning & use
strut
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Meanings
verbintransitivedisapproving
To walk in a proud, stiff way with the chest out, as if you want to be admired.
Grammar: No object; often followed by a direction: strut across the stage.
Patterns
- strut around
- strut across something
The rooster strutted across the yard as if he owned it.
She strutted down the runway in a sparkling gown.
He strutted into the office after winning the award.
nouncountabletechnical
A bar or rod that supports or braces a structure such as a roof, wing or bridge.
Grammar: Often plural in structural contexts: wing struts.
Patterns
- a strut for something
- a strut between things
A steel strut holds the roof beam in place.
The plane's wing is supported by a strong strut.
Workers added a strut between the two walls to stop them bending.
nounsingular
A proud, stiff way of walking.
Grammar: Used with a: walk with a strut.
Patterns
- walk with a strut
He walked with a strut after scoring the winning goal.
Her confident strut caught everyone's eye.
The captain's strut showed he was pleased with himself.
Word forms
| third person singular | struts |
|---|---|
| past tense | strutted |
| past participle | strutted |
| -ing form | strutting |
| plural | struts |
Common combinations
- strut around
- He strutted around showing off his new jacket.
- strut across the stage
- The singer strutted across the stage.
- strut your stuff
- The dancers strutted their stuff in the final round.
- strut down the runway
- Models strutted down the runway in bold colors.
- support strut
- A support strut keeps the shelf from sagging.
Synonyms and how they differ
- swagger
- Swagger suggests a rolling, bold, careless walk, while strut is stiffer and more upright.
- parade
- Parade means to walk in a way meant to show something off to onlookers, while strut focuses on the proud posture.
- stride
- Stride only means to walk with long steps and does not suggest pride.
- prance
- Prance is lighter and bouncier, often with a playful or silly air, while strut is more stiff and self-important.
Opposites
Word family
- strutting noun
- the act of walking proudly
- strutter noun
- a person who struts
- strut one's stuff phrase
- to show off one's skills confidently
Commonly confused: strut or strutt?
strut vs strutt
This is a misspelling; both the verb and the support are spelled strut.
Practice
After winning the race, Leo ______ around the field, showing off his medal.
Choose one answer.
Strutted means walked with proud, showy steps, which fits a medal winner. Slunk and crept suggest hiding, the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “strut”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.