hum

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To sing a tune with your lips closed, making a steady sound without words.

   Grammar: No object when you simply hum, or an object for the tune: hum a melody.

   Patterns

   • hum a tune
   • hum along
   • hum to yourself

   She hums while she cooks.

   He hummed the chorus because he didn't know the words.

   The children hummed along with the radio.

2. 2verbintransitive

   To make a low, steady sound, like a machine or a swarm of insects.

   Grammar: No object: the fridge hums.

   Patterns

   • hum with something
   • hum away

   The old refrigerator hummed in the corner.

   Bees hummed around the lavender bush.

   The engine hummed smoothly as the car moved off.

3. 3verbintransitivefigurative

   To be full of activity, energy, or excitement.

   Grammar: Often with with: the room hummed with chatter.

   Patterns

   • hum with something

   The market hummed with shoppers on Saturday morning.

   The office hummed with excitement before the launch.

   The whole city seemed to hum with energy.

4. 4nounsingular

   A low, continuous sound, such as that made by a machine, insects, or distant voices.

   Grammar: Usually singular with the or a: the hum of traffic.

   Patterns

   • the hum of something
   • a hum of something

   The hum of the air conditioner put him to sleep.

   A steady hum filled the library.

   We could hear the hum of voices through the wall.

Word forms

Common combinations

hum a tune

He hummed a tune while he washed the dishes.

hum along

The audience hummed along to the old song.

hum with activity

The airport hums with activity at dawn.

a low hum

A low hum came from the generator.

hum to yourself

She hums to herself when she is nervous.

the hum of traffic

The hum of traffic never stops downtown.

Synonyms and how they differ

drone

Drone is a dull, monotonous sound that is often annoying, whereas hum can be pleasant.

buzz

Buzz is higher and sharper, such as the sound of a fly, while hum is lower and smoother.

murmur

Murmur is a soft, low sound of voices or water, closer to speech than a tune.

purr

Purr is a softer, rolling sound and is typically associated with cats and smooth engines.

Opposites

Word family

humming noun

the sound or act of humming

hummer noun

a person or thing that hums, as in a hummingbird

hummingbird noun

a tiny bird whose wings make a humming sound

humdrum adjective

dull and ordinary

Commonly confused: hum or hem?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hum”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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