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hmm

HMM/hm̩/

5 meanings of hmm

Practice

  1. 1
    I'm thinkinginterjection
    Used to show that you are thinking about something or trying to decide.

    Like pressing a pause button with your voice while your brain works.

    Hmm, I'm not sure which road we took to get here.

    Hmm, maybe the blue paint would look better in this room.

    Similarwell, um

    Note
  2. 2
    interjection
    Used to show that you doubt what someone said, don't quite believe it, or don't like it.

    "I cleaned my whole room in five minutes." "Hmm, are you sure about that?"

    Hmm, I don't think that's what the teacher said.

    UsageSaid alone, it can sound a little rude.

    Note
  3. 3
    caught off guardinterjection
    Used to show surprise or that you are confused, especially when someone speaks to you suddenly.

    Hmm? Sorry, I was reading. What did you say?

    Hmm? Oh, I didn't know anyone else was home.

    Similarhuh, eh, what, pardon, sorry

    Note
  4. 4
    answer meinterjection
    Used to push someone to answer your question.

    Who ate the last cookie, hmm?

    Hmm? I asked you a question, young man.

    UsageIt sounds pushy, so don't use it when asking politely.

    Similareh, huh, well

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    hum while thinkingverbintransitive
    To make a humming sound while you think about something.

    Dad will hmm for a minute before he answers a hard question.

    She hmmed and looked at the menu one more time.

    UsageUse hmmed for the past and hmming for the -ing form.

    Similarhum, um

    Note

More uses

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of hmm apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

A way of spelling the humming sound people make while they think. It is a form of hum.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts