hum
/hʌm/ (bre, ipa) · /hʌm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhəm/ (ame, mw)
hum — verb
- humpresent simple I / you / we / they
- humshe / she / it
- hummedpast simple
- humming-ing form
1. to produce a steady, low-pitched sound that continues without a break — used esp
to produce a steady, low-pitched sound that continues without a break — used especially for machines, electrical devices, or flying insects.
The old refrigerator hummed quietly in the corner of the kitchen.
intransitive: subject (machine/device) hums
Bees hummed around the cherry blossoms in the garden.
From the other room, Defne could hear the printer hum.
The laptop's cooling fan hummed loudly while Minho was rendering a video.
文法句型
hum (for machines, insects, or devices)
用法筆記
Frequently used for machines, insects, and electrical appliances. The sound is steady and low-pitched — higher or more intermittent sounds use buzz instead.
常見錯誤
2. to produce a melody by pressing the lips together so that the sound comes out th
to produce a melody by pressing the lips together so that the sound comes out through the nose, without opening the mouth to say words.
Lauren hummed her favorite tune while washing the dishes.
transitive: hum + [tune/song]
The old man hummed quietly to himself as he waited for the bus.
intransitive: hum to oneself
Ignacio hummed a lullaby to help the baby fall asleep.
Iris hummed along with the guitar music playing in the café.
Élise could not stop humming the song she heard on the radio.
文法句型
hum + [tune/song]
hum to oneself
hum along with [music]
用法筆記
Can be transitive (hum a tune) or intransitive (hum to oneself). The transitive form requires the object to be a melody or song — not words or speech.
常見錯誤
3. to be filled with lively activity, busy movement, and noise — used for a place,
to be filled with lively activity, busy movement, and noise — used for a place, event, or scene where many things are happening at once.
The night market hummed with the chatter of customers and vendors.
pattern: hum with [activity/noise/people]
During exam week, the library hummed with students studying.
The café hummed with conversation and the clatter of coffee cups.
Apinya's kitchen hummed with activity as she prepared for the festival dinner.
文法句型
hum with [activity/noise/people]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by with + noun describing the source of the activity. Past tense hummed is the most common form for describing a past scene.
常見錯誤
4. to give off a very unpleasant, often rotten smell — used informally about food t
to give off a very unpleasant, often rotten smell — used informally about food that has spoiled or a place that is dirty and needs cleaning.
The garbage bins in the alley really hum in the summer heat.
informal slang: hum = stink
Apinya knew the milk had gone bad when it started to hum.
The old gym locker room hummed after a long afternoon practice.
Something in the fridge hums — I think it is the leftover fish.
- smell good
opposite meaning; requires a modifier
文法句型
something hums (for spoiled or unclean things)
用法筆記
Highly informal — used in casual speech only, never in formal writing. The subject is typically something that has spoiled or become unclean.
常見錯誤
hum — noun
- humsingular
- humsplural
1. a steady, low-pitched sound that continues without a break, often produced by ma
a steady, low-pitched sound that continues without a break, often produced by machines, electrical devices, or distant traffic.
The hum of the air conditioner helped Kabir fall asleep.
the hum of [device]
All Zuri could hear was the low hum of the city traffic.
adjective + hum: low hum, distant hum, steady hum
The steady hum of the projector filled the dark classroom.
Nikos could hear the hum of the generator from across the street.
- silence
complete absence of sound
文法句型
the hum of [source]
adjective + hum
用法筆記
Often preceded by an adjective such as low, steady, distant, or soft. Pairs naturally with of to introduce the source of the sound.