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hum - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'hum' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Hum [ interj.]
- An inarticulate nasal sound or murmur, like h'm, uttered by a speaker in pause from embarrassment, affectation, etc.
- A kind of strong drink formerly used.
- Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation.
2 . Hum [ n.]
- A low monotonous noise, as of bees in flight, of a swiftly revolving top, of a wheel, or the like; a drone; a buzz.
- Any inarticulate and buzzing sound
- The confused noise of a crowd or of machinery, etc., heard at a distance; as, the hum of industry.
- A buzz or murmur, as of approbation.
- An imposition or hoax.
3 . Hum [ v. i.]
- To make a low, prolonged sound, like that of a bee in flight; to drone; to murmur; to buzz; as, a top hums.
- To make a nasal sound, like that of the letter m prolonged, without opening the mouth, or articulating; to mumble in monotonous undertone; to drone.
- To make an inarticulate sound, like h'm, through the nose in the process of speaking, from embarrassment or a affectation; to hem.
- To express satisfaction by a humming noise.
- To have the sensation of a humming noise; as, my head hums, -- a pathological condition.
4 . Hum [ v. t.]
- To sing with shut mouth; to murmur without articulation; to mumble; as, to hum a tune.
- To express satisfaction with by humming.
- To flatter by approving; to cajole; to impose on; to humbug.

Meaning of 'hum' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . hum [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a humming noise
Example in sentence:
  • the hum of distant traffic
Meaning (2):
- the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity
Example in sentence:
  • there is a constant hum of military preparation;
  • they manifested all the busyness of a pack of beavers
3 . hum [ v]
Meaning (3):
- sing with closed lips
Example in sentence:
  • She hummed a melody
Meaning (4):
- make a low continuous sound
Example in sentence:
  • The refrigerator is humming
Meaning (5):
- be noisy with activity
Example in sentence:
  • This office is buzzing with activity

Nearby Words:

human humanate humane humanics humanify humanism humanist humanistic humanitarian humanitarianism

See 'hum' also in:

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