hum

hum — verb

1. to produce a steady, low-pitched sound that continues without a break — used esp

1.動詞不及物A2
釋義

to produce a steady, low-pitched sound that continues without a break — used especially for machines, electrical devices, or flying insects.

例句

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.

同義詞
  • buzz

    higher-pitched, more rapid sound; often for insects or phone alerts

  • drone

    deeper, more monotonous and often tiresome sound

  • whir

    faster sound from spinning or rotating parts

  • purr

    softer, smoother sound like a cat or a well-tuned engine

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

❌The phone hummed with a notification.
✅The phone buzzed with a notification.
💡A phone alert is a short, high sound (buzz), not a steady low sound (hum).

2. to produce a melody by pressing the lips together so that the sound comes out th

2.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

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.

例句

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

同義詞
  • croon

    sing softly and sentimentally; implies more emotion and sometimes open-mouthed singing

  • whistle

    produce a tune by blowing through pursed lips, a completely different technique

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

❌She hummed a message to her friend.
✅She hummed a melody to her friend.
💡You can only hum a tune or song, not spoken words.

3. to be filled with lively activity, busy movement, and noise — used for a place,

3.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to be filled with lively activity, busy movement, and noise — used for a place, event, or scene where many things are happening at once.

例句

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.

同義詞
  • buzz

    more energetic and noisier; implies a higher level of excitement

  • bustle

    emphasizes hurried movement rather than sound

  • throb

    suggests a pulsing or rhythmic quality to the activity

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

❌The office hummed of workers.
✅The office hummed with workers.
💡Use with, not of, to introduce the source of activity.

4. to give off a very unpleasant, often rotten smell — used informally about food t

4.動詞不及物B2
釋義

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.

例句

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.

同義詞
  • stink

    the most common informal word for a very bad smell

  • reek

    implies a strong and penetrating odour that fills the air

  • smell

    neutral — needs a modifier like bad to express unpleasantness

反義詞

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

❌The flowers hum sweetly in the garden.
✅The flowers smell sweet in the garden.
💡Hum only refers to unpleasant smells, never pleasant ones.

hum — noun