Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fast pitch in baseball: In baseball, a "hummer" refers to a pitch thrown at maximum velocity, often synonymous with a fastball.
   • A person who hums: A "hummer" is a singer or person who produces a musical tune by humming, i.e., with the lips closed or without forming distinct words.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Baseball):
  • The pitcher's best hummer was clocked at 98 miles per hour.
  • He struck the batter out with a high-speed hummer.
• Noun (Person who hums):
  • She is a constant hummer, always humming tunes while she works.
  • The quiet hummer in the choir provided a soft background drone.

Advanced Usage

• "Throw a hummer": To pitch a very fast ball in baseball.
  • The rookie pitcher can really throw a hummer.
• "A natural hummer": Someone who hums frequently or skillfully.
  • My grandfather was a natural hummer, filling the house with melody.

Variants and Related Words

• Hum (verb): To sing with closed lips.
  • He likes to hum old songs.
• Humming (noun/gerund): The act or sound of humming.
  • The humming of the engine was soothing.

Synonyms

• Fastball (for the baseball meaning): A high-velocity pitch.
• Droner (for the person who hums): One who produces a continuous low sound.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Hummer" as a noun does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The related verb "hum" does.) - Hum along: To hum in accompaniment to music. - She hummed along to the radio.

Related Idioms

• "Make things hum": To cause activity or a place to be very busy and energetic.
  • The new manager really made things hum in the office. (Note: This idiom uses the verb "hum," not the noun "hummer.")

Noun

1. (baseball) a pitch thrown with maximum velocity
   • he swung late on the fastball
   • he showed batters nothing but smoke
2. a singer who produces a tune without opening the lips or forming words