hum

1 of 2

verb

ˈhəm 

hummed; humming

intransitive verb

1

a

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

humming along with the music

b

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

listening to the bees hum in the garden

c

: to give forth a low continuous blend of sound

the sound of children's voices with which the house was always humming

—J. M. Brinnin

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 uttering speech sounds distinctly

hum a tune

2

: to express by making a vocal sound with the lips pressed together : to affect by humming

hummed his displeasure

hum noun

hummable

ˈhə-mə-bəl 

adjective

hum

2 of 2

chiefly British spelling of hem entry 3, hem entry 4

Synonyms

Verb

• burst
• buzz
• bulge

Examples of hum in a Sentence

Verb

The garden was humming with bees.

The refrigerator hummed in the background.

I was humming to myself.

We hummed along to the music.

I hummed a little song.

By noon, the office was really humming.

The restaurant hums on weekends.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Just a 10-minute stroll from the city center, the elevation affords something akin to a retreat; Bolaño feels spirited away from the noisy streets, surrounded instead by humming cicadas and chirping birds. —Keith Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025

Anybody who thought the Detroit Lions would come into the season with new coordinators on both sides of the ball and keep humming along was in for a rude awakening. —Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025

But with the wheels realigned and the engine humming again, the Broncos now have to sit in neutral. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025

The porch smells faintly of lime and ginger, and the house hums the way houses do when a good conversation has just ended. —Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing hum

• ho-hum

Rhymes for hum

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• from
• frum
• glum
• gum

Kids Definition

hum

verb

ˈhəm

hummed; humming

1

a

: to utter a continuous \m\ sound

b

: to make the natural buzzing sound of an insect in motion or a sound like it : drone

c

: to give forth a low continuous blend of sound

2

: to produce musical tones while keeping the lips closed

3

: to be busily active

the place was humming

hum noun

hummer noun

Medical Definition

hum

noun

ˈhəm 

: a sound like that made by humming

especially : venous hum