hum

[ huhm ]
See synonyms for: humhummedhumming on Thesaurus.com

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.

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

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

  3. to be in a state of busy activity: The household hummed in preparation for the wedding.

  4. 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.)

Origin of hum

1
1300–50; Middle English; ultimately imitative; cognate with German hummen to hum; cf. humblebee

Other words for hum

Other words from hum

  • un·der·hum, noun

Words Nearby hum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use hum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hum

hum

/ (hʌm) /


verbhums, humming or hummed
  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

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

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

  3. (intr) British and Irish slang to smell unpleasant

  4. (intr) Australian slang to scrounge

  5. hum and haw See hem 2 (def. 3)

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

  1. Australian slang a scrounger; cadger

  2. British and Irish slang an unpleasant odour

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

Origin of hum

1
C14: of imitative origin; compare Dutch hommelen, Old High German humbal bumblebee

Derived forms of hum

  • hummer, noun

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