To hum
Example: She likes to hum her favorite song while cooking.
Definition
"To hum" means to produce a continuous, low, and steady sound with closed lips, often in a musical tone. It is commonly done to express enjoyment or keep rhythm, as in humming a melody quietly while doing another activity, like cooking.
Etymology
The verb "to hum" originates from the Old English word "hummen," which mimics the sound itself. This onomatopoeic root reflects how the word imitates the gentle, buzzing sound produced by the vocal cords. Did you know? The word has been used in English since at least the 13th century to describe this soft, continuous sound.
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"To hum" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - Music - (A1) - set 1", containing 104 commonly used words.
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