[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/humming/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [H](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/h/) / humming

# humming

verb form (-ing form of hum: hum, hums, hummed, humming); noun (humming — uncountable); adjective (humming)

«humming» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Humming is singing a tune with your lips closed, making a «mmm» sound. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/#m1)
2. Humming is a low, steady buzzing sound, like bees, a fridge or machines. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/#m2)
3. Humming (adjective) can mean busy and full of activity. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/#m3)

### In the lessons

In music lessons, children hum a tune before learning the words. In science, a humming sound comes from vibrations, such as fast-beating insect wings or a working machine; this links to how sound is made. In stories, humming shows a character is happy or relaxed, or a strange hum builds suspense. Phrases: hum a tune, hum along, the humming of bees, humming with activity.

### Examples

- She was humming her favourite song while she painted. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/#x1)
- We heard the humming of bees in the lavender. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/#x2)
- The fridge makes a quiet humming noise. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/#x3)
- Hum the tune if you don't know the words. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/#x4)
- The playground was humming with excitement before the holidays. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/#x5)
- The humming of the wires came from the electricity pylons. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/#x6)
- ‘What’s that you’re humming?’ asked the old man. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/#x7)

### Note

Double m before -ing and -ed: hum, humming, hummed. A hum is low and steady; a buzz is sharper. Hummingbirds are named after the humming sound of their wings.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «humming» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/humming/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«humming» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/humming.html) on Mova free.