hommel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowRegional/Historical/Literary
Quick answer
What does “hommel” mean?
A regional and historical term for a male bumblebee.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A regional and historical term for a male bumblebee.
A term from regional dialects, particularly Scottish and Northern English, referring specifically to a drone bumblebee (the male), which is larger and often noisier than the female. It can also be used metaphorically for someone who is lazy or drones on monotonously.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word exists only in historical British (especially Scottish) dialect records. It is essentially unknown in American English.
Connotations
In British historical/dialect use, it is a neutral entomological term with a potential pejorative extension. In American English, it has no established connotations.
Frequency
Virtually extinct in contemporary British English. Extremely rare and specialised; would be unrecognised by the vast majority of speakers in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “hommel” in a Sentence
[be] + a + hommel[hum/buzz] + like + a + hommelVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or entomological studies discussing dialect terms.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Extremely rare, potentially in apiculture history or dialectology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hommel”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hommel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hommel”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Assuming it's a common word for any bee.
- Mispronouncing as /hoʊˈmɛl/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic regional (Scottish/Northern English) word and is not used in modern standard English.
A hommel (male bumblebee) does not work; its primary function is to mate with a queen. This led to its metaphorical use for an idle person.
No, it would be confusing and sound deliberately old-fashioned or obscure. Use 'drone' or 'male bumblebee' instead.
Not specifically. The standard term 'drone' is used for the male of honeybees and bumblebees. 'Hommel' is a British dialect term.
A regional and historical term for a male bumblebee.
Hommel is usually regional/historical/literary in register.
Hommel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒm(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) idle/lazy as a hommel”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HOMmel HOMming loudly like a male bee.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDLENESS/INUTILITY IS A DRONE BEE (a hommel does not work like a worker bee).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'hommel'?