humming Definition

hum
verb hummed, humming

intr
1. To make a low, steady murmuring sound similar to that made by a bee.

Thesaurus: buzz, murmur, purr.
tr & intr
2. To sing (a tune) with closed lips.
intr
3. To speak indistinctly or stammer, especially through embarrassment or hesitation.
intr
4. colloq
To be full of activity.
Example: The whole building was humming
intr
5. slang
To have an unpleasant smell or odour.

noun

1. A humming sound.

Thesaurus: whir, murmur, buzz, drone, purr, throb, vibration.
2. An inarticulate sound or murmur.
3. slang
A bad smell.

exclamation

1. Expressing embarrassment or hesitation.

Derivative: hummable
adj

Idiom: hum and haw (hum and ha)

To make inarticulate sounds expressing doubt, uncertainty or hesitation; to hesitate.
Example: He hummed and hahed for hours before making a decision
Thesaurus: falter, hesitate, stutter.

Idiom: make things hum

To set things going; to stir up some activity.

Etymology: 14c: imitating the sound.