What does "hum" mean?
A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.
Hum
/ˈhʌm/ intj, name, noun, verb, slang
intj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.
- Grammar: hum is listed as intj, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: buzz, thrum, anthem, array.
- Useful contrasts: belting, cackling, chug.
- Usage evidence: A melody is not merely something you can hum.
How to use "hum"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "hum" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "hum" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "hum" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "hum" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "hum" is acting as intj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "buzz" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "hum", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.
- 2 Synonym of see hum (“blood cockles, ark clams”). Malaysia, Singapore, informal, uncountable
- 3 Initialism of highly unusual method: any of a class of contract bridge bidding systems that require advance preparation to contend with, and are usually restricted to the highest levels of tournament play. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
- 4 a humming noise wordnet
- 5 An often indistinct sound resembling human humming.
"They could hear a hum coming from the kitchen, and found the dishwasher on."
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity wordnet
- 7 Busy activity, like the buzz of a beehive.
- 8 Unpleasant odour. UK, slang
- 9 An imposition or hoax; humbug. dated
- 10 A kind of strong drink. obsolete
"you do provide me hum enough , And lour to bouse with"
- 11 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 To make a sound from the vocal cords without pronouncing any real words, with one's lips closed. intransitive
"We are humming happily along with the music."
- 2 sing with closed lips wordnet
- 3 To express by humming. transitive
"to hum a tune"
- 4 make a low continuous sound wordnet
- 5 To drone like certain insects naturally do in motion, or sounding similarly. intransitive
"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."
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 sound with a monotonous hum wordnet
- 7 To buzz, be busily active like a beehive intransitive
"The streets were humming with activity."
- 8 be noisy with activity wordnet
- 9 To produce low sounds which blend continuously intransitive
- 10 To reek, smell bad. British, slang
"This room really hums — have you ever tried spring cleaning, mate?"
- 11 To flatter by approving; to cajole; to deceive or impose upon; to humbug. UK, dated, slang, transitive
Intj
- 1 Synonym of hmm: a noise indicating thought, consideration, &c.
"Hum! hum! What's all this?"
- 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."
Proper Noun
- 1 A town in the central part of Istria, northwest Croatia, 7 km from Roč.
Example
"A melody is not merely something you can hum."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "hum"?
Common synonyms include: buzz, thrum, anthem, array, articulation, ballad.
How do you use "hum" in a sentence?
A melody is not merely something you can hum.
How do you pronounce "hum"?
Pronounced /ˈhʌm/.
Etymology
Etymology 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.
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Hokkien 蚶 (ham).
Etymology 3
From German Cholm, from Italian Colmo.