What does strutted mean?
“Strutted” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “strut,” meaning to walk in a proud, swaggering way. It describes a movement that deliberately displays confidence, elegance, status, or self-importance: a model may strut down a runway, while a boastful speaker might strut into a room as if expecting attention. The verb is used in both British and American English and can range from complimentary to mocking depending on context and tone. It is especially effective when the speaker wants to emphasize not merely walking but the conspicuous, self-assured manner of the movement. Although “strutted” is grammatically an inflected form rather than a separate dictionary headword, it carries the distinctive meaning of the verb and is useful in descriptions of performances, public appearances, and deliberately theatrical entrances.
verbWalk with a proud, swaggering, self-confident gait. It can also describe someone moving in a way intended to attract attention or display status.
- Walked with a proud, swaggering, self-confident gait.
"She strutted down the runway as the audience applauded."
"The model strutted onto the catwalk in a scarlet suit."
"After winning the award, he strutted into the newsroom with his trophy."
From a word meaning a projecting support, 'strut' developed into a verb for walking with conspicuous pride—an architectural term that became a wonderfully vivid description of human confidence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strutted come from?
Strutted is the past tense and past participle of strut. The noun strut is recorded in Middle English for a projecting support and later for a proud, swaggering manner of walking. The verb meaning “to walk proudly” developed from that older noun during the early modern period, and its modern use preserves the sense of moving with conspicuous confidence or pride.
Related word forms
How strutted is actually used
The word can be admiring when describing a confident or stylish entrance, but it is often informal and mildly disapproving when it suggests showing off or excessive self-importance.