Hum
/hʌm/noun
To make a low, steady, continuous sound, especially with the voice or a machine.
Did you know?Because it began as an imitation of sound, hum is one of those words that shows language can be born from pure vibration rather than from a root meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mū- / *mū-
“An imitative sound base associated with low humming or murmuring noises”
Old English
English
hummian
“To make a low humming or droning sound”
Middle English
English
hummen
“To buzz, drone, or utter a low continuous sound”
16th Century
English
hum
“A low continuous sound or murmur”
Modern English
English
hum
“To make or produce a low, steady sound”