Meaning of hum in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /həm/

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  1. Verb

    hum

    Etymology

    late Middle English: imitative

    Definitions

    1. sing with closed lips

    Examples

    • « She hummed a melody »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. be noisy with activity

    Examples

    • « This office is buzzing with activity »

    Derived terms

  3. 3. sound with a monotonous hum

    Derived terms

  4. 4. make a low continuous sound

    Examples

    • « The refrigerator is humming »

    Derived terms

  5. Noun

    hum

    Definitions

    1. the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity

    Examples

    • « they manifested all the busyness of a pack of beavers »
    • « there is a constant hum of military preparation »
  6. 2. an Islamic fundamentalist group in Pakistan that fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s

    Examples

    • « now operates as a terrorist organization primarily in Kashmir and seeks Kashmir's accession by Pakistan »
  7. 3. a humming noise

    Examples

    • « the hum of distant traffic »

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « One needs occasionally to stand aside from the hum and rush of human interests and passions to hear the voices of God. »
    Anna Julia Cooper

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