Background for hum

hum

/ˈhʌm/

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interjection

Indicating thinking or pondering.

Examples :

"Hum, I'm not sure if I should take the red or blue shirt to the party tonight. "

sound mind communication language

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interjection

A demand for an answer to a question.

Examples :

"Just where were you until 2 a.m.? Hmm?"

communication demand sound language

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noun

A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.

Examples :

"The little girl's hum was a cheerful melody as she walked to school. "

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noun

An often indistinct sound resembling human humming.

Examples :

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

sound sensation physics

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noun

Busy activity, like the buzz of a beehive.

Examples :

"The office had a constant hum of activity as everyone prepared for the big presentation. "

sound environment

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noun

Unpleasant odour.

Examples :

"The hum of the garbage can in the hot sun was almost unbearable. "

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noun

An imposition or hoax; humbug.

Examples :

"The new student's story about winning a scholarship was just a hum; he'd made it all up. "

character language communication

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noun

A kind of strong drink.

Examples :

"My grandfather always enjoyed a good hum after a long day of gardening. "

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noun

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.

Examples :

"The residents near the factory complained about the mysterious hum that kept them awake at night, a low droning noise only some of them could hear. "

phenomena sound sensation environment physics frequency

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verb

To make a sound from the vocal chords without pronouncing any real words, with one's lips closed.

Examples :

"We are humming happily along with the music."

sound music action sensation entertainment communication language

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verb

To express by humming.

Examples :

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

sound music action communication

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verb

To drone like certain insects naturally do in motion, or sounding similarly

Examples :

"The bee hummed loudly as it flew around the flower. "

sound insect nature

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verb

To buzz, be busily active like a beehive

Examples :

"The streets were humming with activity."

sound action energy nature

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verb

To produce low sounds which blend continuously

Examples :

"The refrigerator hummed quietly, a low sound blending smoothly into the background noise of the kitchen. "

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verb

To reek, smell bad.

Examples :

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

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verb

To flatter by approving; to cajole; to deceive or impose upon; to humbug.

Examples :

"The con artist tried to hum the elderly woman into giving him her life savings by praising her generosity and claiming he was a struggling war veteran. "

communication language attitude character

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interjection

An expression used to show contentment for something

Examples :

"Mmm, this is a tasty pie!"

emotion sensation sound

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interjection

An expression used to show thought or reflection

Examples :

"Mmm, I see what you mean."

communication language mind

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interjection

An expression used to show being muffled or not able to speak clearly, as well as "mmph".

Examples :

""Hum," she said, trying to keep her voice down so her brother wouldn't hear. "

language sound communication word human

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interjection

Examples :

""Do you understand the instructions?" Hum, I do. "

communication language

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interjection

Expression of hesitation, uncertainty or space filler in conversation. See uh.

Examples :

"Let’s see... um... how about this?"

language communication linguistics phonetics