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

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

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

Or will Allen and Co. keep humming along and win their 10th game of the season? —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024

Once those two return, Lillard’s gravity will make life exponentially easier for them, opening up even more opportunities for Milwaukee’s offense to hum. —Brian Sampson, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Anyone who grew up attending hockey games as a child likely has fond memories of the machine slowly circling the rink, humming along while leaving a pristine, glistening sheet of ice in its wake. —Jesse Granger, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024

The huge arrays of computers needed for A.I. require staggering, and rapidly increasing, amounts of energy to keep them humming. —Stanley Reed, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024

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

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