hum Meaning & Definition
What Does Hum Mean?
As a symbol, hum means ISO 639-3 language code for Hungana. As a noun, it means A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed. As a verb, it means To make a sound from the vocal cords without pronouncing any real words, with one's lips closed.
Hum at a Glance
| Part of speech | symbol, noun, verb, interjection |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈhʌm// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | thrum, seethe and buzz |
| Plural | hums |
| Verb forms | hums, humming, hummed |
Hum Definition (Symbol)
- ISO 639-3 language code for Hungana.
Hum as a Noun
- A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.
- An often indistinct sound resembling human humming.
They could hear a hum coming from the kitchen and found the dishwasher on.
- Busy activity, like the buzz of a beehive.
- Unpleasant odour.
- An imposition or hoax; humbug.
- A kind of strong drink.
- 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.
Hum as a Verb
- 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.
- To express by humming.
to hum a tune
- To drone like certain insects naturally do in motion, or sounding similarly.
- To buzz, be busily active like a beehive.
The streets were humming with activity.
- To produce low sounds which blend continuously.
- To reek, smell bad.
This room really hums — have you ever tried spring cleaning, mate?
- To flatter by approving; to cajole; to deceive or impose upon; to humbug.
Hum as an Interjection
- Synonym of hmm: a noise indicating thought, consideration, &c.
- Synonym of um: a noise indicating doubt, uncertainty, &c.
Noun
- Synonym of see hum (“blood cockles, ark clams”).
Interjection
- Indicating thinking or pondering.
Hmm... I just can't decide between the two.
- A demand for an answer to a question.
Just where were you until 2 a.m.? Hmm?
Verb
- To make a sound from the vocal chords without pronouncing any real words, with one's lips closed.
We are humming happily along with the music.
Interjection
- An expression used to show contentment for something
Mmm, this is a tasty pie!
- An expression used to show thought or reflection
Mmm, I see what you mean.
- An expression used to show being muffled or not able to speak clearly, as well as "mmph".
- Yes.
Interjection
- Expression of hesitation, uncertainty or space filler in conversation. See uh.
Let’s see... um... how about this?
Synonyms of Hum
Hum synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Hum
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Hum in a Sentence
They could hear a hum coming from the kitchen and found the dishwasher on.
We are humming happily along with the music.
to hum a tune
The team hummed “We Shall Overcome” as they came back onto the field after the break.
The streets were humming with activity.
This room really hums — have you ever tried spring cleaning, mate?
Hmm... I just can't decide between the two.
Just where were you until 2 a.m.? Hmm?
They could hear a hum coming from the kitchen, and found the dishwasher on.
The team ominously hummed “We shall overcome” as they came back onto the field after the break.
Mmm, this is a tasty pie!
Mmm, I see what you mean.
Let’s see... um... how about this?
Word Forms & Grammar
hum (plural hums)
hum (third-person singular simple present hums, present participle humming, simple past and past participle hummed)
hum
hum (uncountable)
Words That Rhyme With Hum
Origin of Hum
Origin 1: From Middle English hummen (“to hum, buzz, drone, make a murmuring sound to cover embarrassment”); akin to Dutch hommelen (“to bumble, buzz”), dialectal Dutch hommen (“to buzz, hum”), Middle High German hummen (“to hum”), probably ultimately of imitative origin.
Origin 2: Borrowed from Hokkien 蚶 (ham).
Pronouncing Hum
The standard pronunciation of hum is //ˈhʌm//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Questions People Ask About Hum
Is hum a symbol or a noun?
Hum is mainly used as a symbol, but it can also be used as a noun, a verb and an interjection.
What is another word for hum?
Close synonyms of hum are thrum, seethe and buzz. See the full list of hum synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of hum?
The plural of hum is hums.
What is the past tense of hum?
The past tense of hum is hummed. The present participle is humming.