Ahem
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /əˈhɛm/ · Part of speech interjection
Quick meaning: Ahem is an interjection meaning (onomatopoeia) The sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat.
Meaning
(onomatopoeia) The sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat.
More Meanings
- Demanding attention.
- Expresses disapproval or annoyance.
- To cough or clear one's throat so as to draw attention.
- Indicates the speaker does not wish to be perceived as rude, often intimating an impolite meaning to a third party that the speaker is not addressing.
Example Sentences
Ahem! Could we please get started?
Ahem! In case you didn't notice, I did my share of the work, too.
Enter Nobody, and the Clowne. / Nobody. Ahem boy, Nobody is ſound yet for all his troubles.
He wouldn't have been suspected of crying for the world, but he coughed and ahemmed, and finally turned away without speaking.
Word Forms
- ahems
- ahemming
- ahemmed
Synonyms for ahem
Depending on context, synonyms include hey, tut tut.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include hmm, hum, huh, mmm, cough, husk.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.