# ahem

Pronunciation: US say "uh-HEM" /əˈhɛm/; UK

## Interjection

1. A sound made by clearing the throat, used to draw others' attention or signal a wish to speak.
   - Simple: A small cough sound made to get people to notice you or to listen.
   - _Ahem, I believe it's my turn to speak now that the introductions are over._
   - _Ahem. Over here, please; the line for tickets actually starts on this side._
2. Represents the sound made by someone who coughs quietly or clears their throat.
   - Simple: The soft sound you make when you cough lightly or clear your throat.
   - _Ahem, excuse me, my voice is a little rough after that long talk._
   - _He gave a quiet ahem and reached for the glass of water beside him._
3. A throat-clearing sound used to express disapproval or annoyance with someone or something.
   - Simple: A throat-clearing sound used to show that you do not like or approve of something.
   - _Ahem. That's the third time you've interrupted me in as many minutes._
   - _When he propped his muddy boots on the table, his aunt managed a pointed ahem._
4. A throat-clearing sound used to signal subtle sarcasm, a polite untruth, or a euphemism the speaker would rather not state outright.
   - Simple: A small cough sound used to hint that you mean something other than what your polite words say.
   - _The new manager is, ahem, very generous with other people's time._
   - _They've been "just friends," ahem, for the better part of a decade._
5. A throat-clearing sound used to call attention to a pun, especially one with a rude or off-color double meaning.
   - Simple: A small cough sound used to point out that you just made a cheeky or rude pun.
   - _He swore the baker really knew how to handle his buns, ahem._
   - _The captain promised the cruise would be a real maiden voyage, ahem, for everyone aboard._

## Verb

6. To cough or clear the throat deliberately in order to draw attention.
   - Simple: To cough lightly or clear your throat on purpose so that people notice you.
   - _Whenever the room got too loud, the chair would ahem until it settled._
   - _She ahemed politely to remind them that she was still waiting for an answer._

## Origin

Onomatopoeic: the word imitates the sound it represents.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/ahem (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).