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

• underhum noun
• hummer 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

Her LP is a narrative of troubled love and shattered small-town lives in which sparkly country songs sit alongside drones that conjure the hum of electrical lines snaking down a highway.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It honors their enthusiasm, protects your kitchen equilibrium, and keeps the day humming along with the kind of gentle, slightly cinematic glow that makes Thanksgiving feel like Thanksgiving.

Read more on Salon

But Google is making important strides in the AI race while also keeping its core business humming.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Several local residents have complained about round-the-clock beeping and humming emitted by the self-driving cars as they make their way to two charging stations near the intersection of Euclid Street and Broadway.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Yet, amid the hum of monitors and the steady rhythm of the surgical team, a gentle stream of flute music plays through the headphones placed over her ears.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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