Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “hum” come from?

Hum comes from Middle English hummen, of uncertain origin and meaning.

hum (English): A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips...

Definitions

  1. A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips...

Ancestry of “hum”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishhummento hum, buzz, drone, make a murmuring sound to...

Words derived from “hum”

  • humming
  • humbug
  • humdrum
  • hummingbird
  • humbugging
  • hummer
  • humbuggery
  • humbucker
  • hummable
  • humdrumness
  • humbugger
  • humdrummery
  • humdudgeon
  • humbird
  • humdrumly
  • unhummable
  • bah humbug
  • hummably
  • humbuggish
  • Humbug
Every word from Middle English hummen →