hum
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to make a low, continuous, droning sound.
-
to give forth an indistinct sound of mingled voices or noises.
-
to utter an indistinct sound in hesitation, embarrassment, dissatisfaction, etc.; hem.
-
to sing with closed lips, without articulating words.
-
to be in a state of busy activity.
The household hummed in preparation for the wedding.
-
British Slang. to have a bad odor, as of stale perspiration.
verb (used with object)
-
to sound, sing, or utter by humming.
to hum a tune.
-
to bring, put, etc., by humming.
to hum a child to sleep.
noun
-
the act or sound of humming; an inarticulate or indistinct murmur; hem.
-
Audio. an unwanted low-frequency sound caused by power-line frequencies in any audio component.
interjection
verb
-
(intr) to make a low continuous vibrating sound like that of a prolonged m
-
(intr) (of a person) to sing with the lips closed
-
(intr) to utter an indistinct sound, as in hesitation; hem
-
informal (intr) to be in a state of feverish activity
-
slang (intr) to smell unpleasant
-
slang (intr) to scrounge
-
See hem 2
noun
-
a low continuous murmuring sound
-
electronics an undesired low-frequency noise in the output of an amplifier or receiver, esp one caused by the power supply
-
slang a scrounger; cadger
-
slang an unpleasant odour
interjection
Other Word Forms
- hummer noun
- underhum noun
Etymology
Origin of hum
1300–50; Middle English; ultimately imitative; cognate with German hummen to hum; humblebee
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He loved to talk about himself, although often there was a hum of worry within his words.
From Literature
Daisy came around the corner of the house on her crutch; humming a silly little tune.
From Literature
That night I jerked awake to a shrill hum.
From Literature
Through the first three months of the year, Tucker had the Chicago Cubs’ offense humming, powering the club to a 53-35 start.
From Los Angeles Times
But just as shareholders were humming the opening bars to “Rocky Mountain High,” the company predicted a sharp drop in this year’s profit, and the stock gave back nearly all of its gains.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
