• IPA: /ˈhʌm/

hum (plural hums)

1. A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.
2. An often indistinct sound resembling human humming.

   They could hear a hum coming from the kitchen, and found the dishwasher on.

   • c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act III, scene ii]:

     the shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums

3. Busy activity, like the buzz of a beehive.
4. (UK, slang) unpleasant odour.
5. (dated) An imposition or hoax; humbug.
6. (obsolete) A kind of strong drink.
7. 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.

• German: Summen
• Portuguese: cantarolar
• Russian: жужжа́ние
• Spanish: tararear

• Italian: ronzio
• Russian: жужжа́ние

hum (hums, present participle humming; past and past participle hummed)

1. (intransitive) 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.

2. (transitive) To express by humming.

   to hum a tune

   The team ominously hummed “We shall overcome” as they came back onto the field after the break.

3. (intransitive) To drone like certain insects naturally do in motion, or sounding similarly
   • 1922, Virginia Woolf, Jacob's Room Chapter 2

     A slight gloom fell upon the table. Jacob was helping himself to jam; the postman was talking to Rebecca in the kitchen; there was a bee humming at the yellow flower which nodded at the open window.

4. (intransitive) To buzz, be busily active like a beehive

   The streets were humming with activity.

5. (intransitive) To produce low sounds which blend continuously
6. (British, slang) To reek, smell bad.

   This room really hums — have you ever tried spring cleaning, mate?

7. (transitive, UK, dated, slang) To flatter by approving; to cajole; to deceive or impose upon; to humbug.

• bumble
• bustle
• hustle
• buzz
• croon
• whir

• humblebee

• French: fredonner
• German: summen
• Italian: canticchiare, canterellare, mormorare, brontolare, sibilare, bofonchiare
• Portuguese: cantarolar, trautear
• Russian: жужжа́ть
• Spanish: canturrear, tararear

• French: bourdonner
• Italian: ronzare

• French: fourmiller

1. Synonym of hmm#English|hmm: a noise indicating thought, consideration, &c.
2. Synonym of um#English|um: a noise indicating doubt, uncertainty, &c.
   • 1991, Stephen Fry, The Liar, p. 27:

     Ah, now, this is why we must proceed with great circumspection. They were both, hum, “put out” themselves.

1. A town in the central part of Istria, northwest Croatia, 7 km from Roč.