hum

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

see all synonyms and antonyms

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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