hum

[huhm]

verb (used without object)

hummed, humming 

1. to make a low, continuous, droning sound.

2. to give forth an indistinct sound of mingled voices or noises.

3. to utter an indistinct sound in hesitation, embarrassment, dissatisfaction, etc.; hem.

4. to sing with closed lips, without articulating words.

5. to be in a state of busy activity.

   The household hummed in preparation for the wedding.

   Synonyms: buzz, bustle

6. British Slang.,  to have a bad odor, as of stale perspiration.

verb (used with object)

hummed, humming 

1. to sound, sing, or utter by humming.

   to hum a tune.

2. to bring, put, etc., by humming.

   to hum a child to sleep.

noun

1. the act or sound of humming; an inarticulate or indistinct murmur; hem.

2. Audio.,  an unwanted low-frequency sound caused by power-line frequencies in any audio component.

interjection

1. (an inarticulate sound uttered in contemplation, hesitation, dissatisfaction, doubt, etc.)

hum

/ hʌm /

verb

1. (intr) to make a low continuous vibrating sound like that of a prolonged m

2. (intr) (of a person) to sing with the lips closed

3. (intr) to utter an indistinct sound, as in hesitation; hem

4. informal,  (intr) to be in a state of feverish activity

5. slang,  (intr) to smell unpleasant

6. slang,  (intr) to scrounge

7. See hem 2

noun

1. a low continuous murmuring sound

2. electronics an undesired low-frequency noise in the output of an amplifier or receiver, esp one caused by the power supply

3. slang,  a scrounger; cadger

4. slang,  an unpleasant odour

interjection

1. an indistinct sound of hesitation, embarrassment, etc; hem

Other Word Forms

• hummer noun
• underhum noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hum¹

1300–50; Middle English; ultimately imitative; cognate with German hummen to hum; humblebee

Word History and Origins

Origin of hum¹

C14: of imitative origin; compare Dutch hommelen, Old High German humbal bumblebee

Example Sentences

Once struggling to reach double digits in points, UCLA’s offense is now humming.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The pain signals continue to hum in the background even when physical recovery seems complete.

Read more on Science Daily

Even when the scoreboard hummed to life in the second half, it still didn’t look like an instant classic was in store.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The shutdown is disrupting business as usual in many ways—and reinforcing just how many private-sector operations depend on a federal bureaucracy humming on all cylinders.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At one such outdoor site this fall, rows of 8-foot-high white battery blocks emitted a constant high-pitched hum.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• croon 
• moan 
• mumble 
• murmur 
• purr 
• sing 
• strum 
• throb 
• trill 
• warble 
• whisper