What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
humming
Example
The air conditioner was humming in the background. [humming: verb]
Example
The humming of the bees was soothing to listen to. [humming: noun]
whirring
Example
The printer was whirring loudly as it printed the documents. [whirring: verb]
Example
The whirring of the fan was the only sound in the room. [whirring: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Humming is more commonly used than whirring in everyday language. Humming is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while whirring is less common and is mostly used to describe the sound of machines or mechanical objects.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between humming and whirring?
Both humming and whirring are neutral words that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
