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humming

adj.
C2 Proficiency US //ˈhəmɪŋ// UK //hˈʌmɪŋ// hum·ming Archaic Slang

adj. smelling very bad or unpleasant. You use this word when something, like old food or dirty clothes, has a strong, gross scent.

adj. emitting a strong, foul, or offensive odour. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'smell'.


SIMPLE

Those old gym shoes are absolutely humming.

CONTEXTUAL

You should probably take the bins out because the kitchen is starting to get a bit humming.

COMPLEX

The fridge had been left unplugged for a week during the heatwave, and by the time we returned, the entire kitchen was humming.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From hum + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Middle English hummynge, equivalent to hum + -ing.

Usage

Informal British and Australian slang; typically follows a linking verb to describe a state or quality.

Pitfall

The humming engine was loud.The engine was humming loudly.In its slang sense of 'smelling bad', humming is an adjective; do not confuse it with the participle describing a low vibrating sound.

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