hum

²hum

Definition of HUM

chiefly British variant of hem

¹hum

verb \ˈhəm\

hummedhum·ming

Definition of HUM

intransitive verb

1

a : to utter a sound like that of the speech sound \m\ prolonged

b : to make the natural noise of an insect in motion or a similar sound : drone

c : to give forth a low continuous blend of sound

2

a : to be busily active <the museum hummed with visitors>

b : to run smoothly <the business started to hum>

transitive verb

1

: to sing with the lips closed and without articulation

2

: to affect or express by humming <hummed his displeasure>

— hum noun

— hum·ma·ble \ˈhə-mə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of HUM

1. The garden was humming with bees.
2. The refrigerator hummed in the background.
3. I was humming to myself.
4. We hummed along to the music.
5. I hummed a little song.
6. By noon, the office was really humming.
7. The restaurant hums on weekends.

Origin of HUM

Middle English hummen; akin to Middle High German hummen to hum, Middle Dutch hommel bumblebee

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to HUM

Synonyms

brim, bristle, bulge, burst, bustle, buzz, crawl, abound, overflow, pullulate, swarm, teem

Related Words

chirr, churr; thrum; fizz, hiss, murmur, purr, rustle, sigh, sizzle, swish, whisper; coo, curr; wheeze, whistle, whoosh

Near Antonyms

lack, need, want

Rhymes with HUM

bum, chum, come, crumb, cum, drum, dumb, from, glum, gum, lum, mum, numb, plum, plumb, rum, scrum, scum, slum, some, strum, sum, them, thrum, thumb

hum

noun \ˈhəm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of HUM

: a sound like that made by humming; especially : venous hum