strut

¹

[ struht ]

verb (used without object)

, strut·ted, strut·ting.

1. to walk with a vain, pompous bearing, as with head erect and chest thrown out, as if expecting to impress observers.

   Synonyms: flourish, parade

noun

1. the act of strutting.
2. a strutting walk or gait.

strut

²

[ struht ]

noun

1. any of various structural members, as in trusses, primarily intended to resist longitudinal compression.

verb (used with object)

, strut·ted, strut·ting.

1. to brace or support by means of a strut or struts.

strut

/ strʌt /

verb

1. intr to walk in a pompous manner; swagger
2. tr to support or provide with struts
3. strut one's stuff informal.
   to behave or perform in a proud and confident manner; show off

noun

1. a structural member used mainly in compression, esp as part of a framework
2. an affected, proud, or stiff walk

Derived Forms

• ˈstrutting, adjective
• ˈstrutter, noun
• ˈstruttingly, adverb

Other Words From

• strutter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of strut¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English strouten “to protrude stiffly, swell, bluster,” Old English strūtian “to struggle,” derivative of unattested strūt (whence Middle English strut “strife”)

Origin of strut²

First recorded in 1565–75; obscurely akin to strut ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of strut¹

C14 strouten (in the sense: swell, stand out; C16: to walk stiffly), from Old English strūtian to stand stiffly; related to Low German strutt stiff

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. strut one's stuff, to dress, behave, perform, etc., one's best in order to impress others; show off.

Synonym Study

Strut and swagger refer especially to carriage in walking. Strut implies swelling pride or pompousness; to strut is to walk with a stiff, pompous, seemingly affected or self-conscious gait: A turkey struts about the barnyard. Swagger implies a domineering, sometimes jaunty, superiority or challenge, and a self-important manner: to swagger down the street.

Example Sentences

Usually, Veterans Day is an occasion for the Pentagon and the U.S. military to strut their stuff.

From Salon

After a 19-year break, the 50-year-old ascended from underneath the staged runway and did her signature strut — and her “smize” — in a VSX balconette catsuit, bustier and a metallic cape.

From Los Angeles Times

In another, fans directed profanities and one-finger salutes to Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who blew kisses to the stands and seemed to strut after making a wild catch in the fourth inning.

From Los Angeles Times

Watching Qualley strut about in a pink bomber jacket with matching lip gloss, it’s as though Barbie became human but refused to evolve.

From Los Angeles Times

Berlant kicked things off with her own full-volume strut, followed by people like musician Moses Sumney, actor Jemima Kirke, artist Chloe Wise, Emhoff and culminating in Eckhaus and Latta.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• prance
• sashay
• stalk
• stride
• swagger