Synonyms for humming


Grammar : Adj
Spell : huhm-ing
Phonetic Transcription : ˈhʌm ɪŋ


Définition of humming

Origin :
  • late 14c., hommen "make a murmuring sound to cover embarrassment," later hummen "to buzz, drone" (early 15c.), probably of imitative origin. Sense of "sing with closed lips" is first attested late 15c.; that of "be busy and active" is 1884, perhaps on analogy of a beehive. Related: Hummed; humming. Humming-bird (1630s) so called from sound made by the rapid vibration of its wings.
  • There is a curious bird to see to, called a humming bird, no bigger then a great Beetle. [Thomas Morton, "New English Canaan," 1637]
  • adj lively
Example sentences :
  • She went about her work that morning humming under her breath.
  • Extract from : « Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus » by Jessie Graham Flower
  • He lighted the lantern, and Hal Dozier went down the steep steps, humming.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • She knew the humming and hawing gentleman—had heard him often before.
  • Extract from : « The Coryston Family » by Mrs. Humphry Ward
  • They are all gone now, but then they were humming and teeming with work.
  • Extract from : « The Harbor » by Ernest Poole
  • The air was full of laughter, talk, whistling and humming of the airs from the opera.
  • Extract from : « The First Violin » by Jessie Fothergill
  • The purring and humming increased, and the car seemed to leap forward.
  • Extract from : « Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout » by Victor Appleton
  • Sometimes a tune gets into my head and I have to keep on humming it or whistling it.
  • Extract from : « Changing Winds » by St. John G. Ervine
  • Thrice he had heard something that sounded like the humming of a swarm of bees.
  • Extract from : « The Downfall » by Emile Zola
  • One morning he heard her humming to herself at breakfast-time.
  • Extract from : « The Fortune of the Rougons » by Emile Zola
  • He had even told his mother the girl reminded him of a humming bird.
  • Extract from : « Chit-Chat; Nirvana; The Searchlight » by Mathew Joseph Holt

Antonyms for humming

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019