hum

[ huhm ]

verb (used without object)

, hummed, hum·ming.

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, hum·ming.

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. hum and haw
   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

Derived Forms

• ˈhummer, noun

Other Words From

• under·hum 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

The mood fluctuates between ho ho ho and ho hum.

From New York Times

For Samuel, music is a vital organ of the whole storytelling body; he dreams up character themes as he’s writing the script, and his characters even hum those tunes onscreen.

From Los Angeles Times

“And then I started working, and at some moment I just put my hand on the piano and I went” — the composer hums a rising-falling bass line.

From Los Angeles Times

But the Clippers knew they could hold their own defensively, and with their offense actually humming, they built a 19-point lead in the third quarter and pulled out a 104-93 win at the Intuit Dome.

From Los Angeles Times

He recorded a loose improvisation on his iPhone, humming along with the piano and narrating his rough concept for the director.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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