humming
Use Humming in a sentence
ɪŋDictionary.com Unabridged
verb (used without object)
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.
verb (used with object)
7.
to sound, sing, or utter by humming: to hum a tune.
8.
to bring, put, etc., by humming: to hum a child to sleep.
noun
9.
the act or sound of humming; an inarticulate or indistinct murmur; hem.
10.
Audio. an unwanted low-frequency sound caused by power-line frequencies in any audio component.
interjection
11.
(an inarticulate sound uttered in contemplation, hesitation, dissatisfaction, doubt, etc.)
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English; ultimately imitative; cognate with German hummen to hum; cf. humblebee
1300–50; Middle English; ultimately imitative; cognate with German hummen to hum; cf. humblebee
Related forms
un·der·hum, noun
Synonyms
5. bustle, buzz.
5. bustle, buzz.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To humming
00:10
Humming
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
hum (hʌm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , hums, humming, 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 |
| 3. | (intr) to utter an indistinct sound, as in hesitation; hem |
| 4. | informal (intr) to be in a state of feverish activity |
| 5. | slang (Brit), (Irish) (intr) to smell unpleasant |
| 6. | slang (Austral) (intr) to scrounge |
| 7. | hum and haw See hem |
| —n | |
| 8. | a low continuous murmuring sound |
| 9. | electronics an undesired low-frequency noise in the output of an amplifier or receiver, esp one caused by the power supply |
| 10. | slang (Austral) a scrounger; cadger |
| 11. | slang (Brit), (Irish) an unpleasant odour |
| —interj, —n | |
| 12. | an indistinct sound of hesitation, embarrassment, etc; hem |
| [C14: of imitative origin; compare Dutch hommelen, Old High German humbal bumblebee] | |
| 'hummer | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
hum
late 14c., hommen "make a murmuring sound to cover embarrassment," later hummen "to buzz, drone" (early 15c.), probably of imitative origin. Sense of "sing with closed lips" is first attested late 15c.; that of "be busy and active" is 1884, perhaps on analogy of a beehive. Humming-bird (1630s) so called
from sound made by the rapid vibration of its wings.
"There is a curious bird to see to, called a humming bird, no bigger then a great Beetle." [Thomas Morton, "New English Canaan," 1637]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
hum (hŭm)
n.
A low, continuous murmur blended of many sounds.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
She was undoing the locks on the dome while humming along to something on her iPod.
Robotics also seems to be humming along nicely, judging by how few workers are needed by manufacturing plants now.
The door opens directly into a room with a conference table and an old refrigerator humming in the corner.
Possession of that flag, or let alone humming the old national anthem, was a criminal offence.
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