Hum Definition

hŭm
hummed, humming, hums
verb
hummed, humming, hums
To make a low, continuous, murmuring sound like that of a bee or a motor.
Webster's New World
To emit the continuous droning sound of a bee on the wing; buzz.
American Heritage
To produce an effect on by humming.
To hum a child to sleep.
Webster's New World
To sing (a tune, etc.) with the lips closed.
Webster's New World
To give forth a confused, droning sound.
A room humming with voices.
Webster's New World
noun
hums
The act of humming.
Webster's New World
A continuous, murmuring sound.
Webster's New World

A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.

Wiktionary

Busy activity, like the buzz of a beehive.

Wiktionary
(UK, slang) Unpleasant odour.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
interjection
Used to indicate hesitation, surprise, or displeasure.
American Heritage
Webster's New World

Hmm; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Hum

Noun

Singular:
hum
Plural:
hums

Origin of Hum

  • From Old English hommen "make a murmuring sound to cover embarrassment," later (medieval English) hummen "to buzz, drone" (c.1420); akin to (medieval and modern) Dutch hommel 'humblebee', medieval German hummen 'to hum', probably ultimately of imitative origin

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English hummen of imitative origin

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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