What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
purr
Example
The cat purred contentedly as I stroked its fur. [purred: past tense]
Example
The car's engine purred smoothly as we drove down the highway. [purred: past tense]
Example
The singer's voice had a soft, purring quality that put the audience at ease. [purring: gerund or present participle]
hum
Example
The refrigerator hummed quietly in the background. [hummed: past tense]
Example
She hummed a tune while she worked on her painting. [hummed: past tense]
Example
The garden was alive with the hum of bees and other pollinators. [hum: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hum is more commonly used than purr in everyday language. Hum is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while purr is less common and is mostly used to describe the sound made by cats.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between purr and hum?
Both purr and hum are relatively informal words, but hum is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while purr is mostly used in casual conversation or when talking about cats specifically.
