english
1
general::
noun
drone:
The tires made a hum at high speed.
verb
murmured:
She hummed as she worked.
Simple Definitions
2
general::
verb ADV. quietly, softly | happily | tunelessly | along humming along with the music VERB + HUM begin to He began to hum, somewhat tunelessly. PHRASES hum to yourself She was humming softly to herself., noun ADJ. faint, soft | low | high-pitched | constant, continuous, steady I could hear the constant hum of distant traffic. | background VERB + HUM hear PREP. ~ of the background hum of the air-conditioning
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
a quiet sound
hum
a quiet low continuous sound, especially from electrical equipment, traffic, an engine, or people’s conversation:
• The only sound was the faint hum of the air-conditioning unit. • He could hear the hum of distant traffic.
rustle
a continuous quiet sound from papers, leaves, or clothes when they rub together:
• She heard the rustle of dried leaves behind her. • the rustle of silk dresses
murmur
a quiet low continuous sound, especially from people’s voices that are far away:
• The murmur of voices died away. • They spoke in a low murmur.
rumble
a series of long low sounds, especially from big guns, traffic, or thunder:
• I heard a rumble of thunder. • the low rumble of a train approaching
Longman-Thesaurus