hum

noun

1. 1

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

2. 2

   An often indistinct sound resembling human humming.

   They could hear a hum coming from the kitchen and found the dishwasher on.

   the shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums

3. 3

   Busy activity, like the buzz of a beehive.

4. 4

   slangUnpleasant odour.

5. 5

   datedAn imposition or hoax; humbug.

6. 6

   obsoleteA kind of strong drink.

   you do provide me hum enough , And lour to bouse with

7. 7

   A phenomenon, or collection of phenomena, involving widespread reports of a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise not audible to all people.

   There is a range of theories from farm or factory machinery to conspiracy theories such as flying saucers. And yet, "the hum" remains an unsolved case.

verb

1. 1

   To make a sound from the vocal cords without pronouncing any real words, with one's lips closed.

   We are humming happily along with the music.

2. 2

   To express by humming.

   to hum a tune

   The team hummed “We Shall Overcome” as they came back onto the field after the break.

3. 3

   To drone like certain insects naturally do in motion, or sounding similarly.

   The leaves of the foreſt were loaded with manna, pure amber dropped from every bough, honey diſtilled from the rifted rock, and the humming bee, drunk with joy, ſtrayed from flower to flower, forgetful of his burſting cells.

   A slight gloom fell upon the table. Jacob was helping himself to jam; the postman was talking to Rebecca in the kitchen; there was a bee humming at the yellow flower which nodded at the open window.

4. 4

   To buzz, be busily active like a beehive.

   The streets were humming with activity.

5. 5

   To produce low sounds which blend continuously.

6. 6

   slangTo reek, smell bad.

   This room really hums — have you ever tried spring cleaning, mate?

7. 7

   datedTo flatter by approving; to cajole; to deceive or impose upon; to humbug.

interjection

1. 1

   Synonym of hmm: a noise indicating thought, consideration, &c.

   Hum! hum! What's all this?

2. 2

   Synonym of um: a noise indicating doubt, uncertainty, &c.

   Ah, now this is why we must proceed with great circumspection. They were both, hum, “put out” themselves.

noun

1. 1

   informalSynonym of see hum (“blood cockles, ark clams”).

Forms

plural

hums

past tense

hummed

past participle

hummed

present participle

humming

third person singular

hums