hum
To make a tune with your mouth closed and no words.
To sing a tune by making a continuous sound with closed lips and without using words.
A low, ongoing sound that does not stop, like from a machine or many people talking quietly.
A low, steady, continuous sound, often coming from machines, electricity, or many quiet voices together.
To make a low sound that goes on without stopping, like a machine or many people talking.
To produce a low, steady, continuous sound, typically used of machines, electrical devices, or large crowds.
To be very busy and active, with many people moving, talking, or working.
To be full of busy, often pleasant activity, movement, and low background noise.
A sound you make when you are thinking or not sure what to say.
Used as a short sound to show that you are thinking, hesitating, or slightly doubtful.
To work very well and easily, especially a business, plan, or group.
To operate in a smooth, effective, and successful way, especially used about businesses, projects, or systems.
A soft, wordless tune made with your mouth closed.
A musical sound produced with the mouth closed and without words, like a quiet tune.
In informal British English, to have a very bad, strong smell.
British informal: to smell strongly and unpleasantly.
- Base: hum
- Base: hum
- 3rd Person Singular: hums
- Present Participle: humming
- Past: hummed
- Irregular present participle: humming Verb
- Irregular past: hummed Verb
ho-hum
1expression of boredom or lack of interest
A sound or word you say to show that something is boring or not interesting.
- The movie was pretty ho-hum, to be honest.
- Ho-hum, another meeting that could have been an email.
hum a tune
1quietly sing a wordless melody
To make a simple song sound with your mouth closed and no words.
- She likes to hum a tune while she cooks.
- He hummed a tune as he walked down the street.
hum along
1humm softly with music or singing
To hum at the same time as a song, music, or another person singing.
- Feel free to hum along if you know the melody.
- She hummed along with the radio in the car.
hum and haw
1hesitate and delay making a decision
To pause, make little sounds, and avoid giving a clear answer or decision.
- He hummed and hawed for ages before finally saying no.
- Stop humming and hawing and just choose one option.
hum to yourself
1hum quietly for your own pleasure
To hum quietly for yourself, not for other people to listen to.
- He hummed to himself as he worked on the model.
- She sat by the window, humming to herself.
hum with activity
1be very busy and lively
To be full of people moving, talking, or working.
- The factory floor was humming with activity.
- By lunchtime, the campus was humming with activity.
the hum of conversation
1background sound of many voices
The low, ongoing sound made when many people talk quietly at the same time.
- The restaurant was filled with the hum of conversation.
- Behind the music, there was a gentle hum of conversation.
the hum of traffic
1continuous low sound of traffic
The low, ongoing sound that many cars and other vehicles make together.
- We fell asleep to the hum of traffic outside.
- Through the open window came the distant hum of traffic.