Hum Definition & Meaning

hum
noun
  1. the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity; "they manifested all the busyness of a pack of beavers"; "there is a constant hum of military preparation"
  2. an Islamic fundamentalist group in Pakistan that fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s; now operates as a terrorist organization primarily in Kashmir and seeks Kashmir's accession by Pakistan
  3. a humming noise; "the hum of distant traffic"
verb
  1. sing with closed lips; "She hummed a melody"
  2. be noisy with activity; "This office is buzzing with activity"
  3. sound with a monotonous hum
  4. make a low continuous sound; "The refrigerator is humming"

Synonyms for hum

buzz noun

sound of rapid vibration; "the buzz of a bumble bee" a confusion of activity and gossip

♫ Rhymes
humming noun

a humming noise; "the hum of distant traffic" the act of singing with closed lips

♫ Rhymes
seethe verb

be noisy with activity; "This office is buzzing with activity" be in an agitated emotional state

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
thrum noun

a thrumming sound; "he could hear the thrum of a banjo" sound with a monotonous hum sound the strings of (a string

♫ Rhymes

"Hum" in song lyrics

See how hum is used in real songs:

  • "Don't look dumb if my breath on hum"
    Afroman — Let's All Get Drunk
  • "I see what you doin mami, um hum"
    Baby (AKA the #1 Stunna) f/ Mannie Fresh, P. Diddy, Tateeze — Do That...
  • "I get you drunk like bum, hum"
    The Beatnuts — Rik's Joint

Words that rhyme with hum

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Usage tips for "hum"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "hum" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for hum to find words that pair well.

Use "hum" in a verse

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♫ Rhymes with hum 🔬 Words containing hum

Frequently asked questions

What does hum mean?
the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity; "they manifested all the busyness of a pack of beavers"; "there is a constant hum of military preparation" an Islamic fundamentalist group in Pakistan that fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s; now operates as a terrorist organization primarily in Kashmir and seeks Kashmir's accession by Pakistan a humming noise; "the hum of distant traffic" sing with closed lips; "She hummed a melody" be noisy with activity
What part of speech is hum?
Hum is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does hum have?
Hum has 7 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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