Word
humming
Phoneticshum·ming, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhəmɪŋ/
UK/hˈʌmɪŋ/
Definition
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'.
Examples
“Those old gym shoes are absolutely humming.”
“You should probably take the bins out because the kitchen is starting to get a bit humming.”
“The fridge had been left unplugged for a week during the heatwave, and by the time we returned, the entire kitchen was humming.”
Examples
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.”
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.
Real-World Examples
“It’s the humming sound produced when one blows air gently across the neck of a bottle, causing air trapped inside to oscillate back and forth.” “When Lucy* puts her child to bed, she hears a constant humming.” Etymology
From hum + -ing.
From Middle English hummynge, equivalent to hum + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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