hmm C2+ Topic:Communication US /hm̩/ UK /hm̩/ See IPA manual Freq #599 Meanings 1 intj a sound used to show that someone is thinking, hesitating, doubtful, or mildly interested Hmm, I need a little more time before I decide. 2 intj a sound used to ask for repetition, an explanation, or an answer You said you left the door unlocked, hmm? 3 verb to make a thoughtful or hesitant humming sound She hmmed over the proposal before signing it. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 intj · a sound used to show that... hm 2 intj · a sound used to ask for... huh 3 verb · to make a thoughtful or... hummurmur Word family Derived forms hmming Related forms hummurmurhesitation Etymology Imitative of a closed-mouth humming sound. Its spelling represents a vocal gesture rather than a word inherited from an older lexical root. Topics Communication External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # hmm **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** intj, verb **IPA (US):** /hm̩/ **IPA (UK):** /hm̩/ **Frequency rank:** 599 ## Meanings 1. a sound used to show that someone is thinking, hesitating, doubtful, or mildly interested 2. a sound used to ask for repetition, an explanation, or an answer 3. to make a thoughtful or hesitant humming sound ## Examples - Hmm, I need a little more time before I decide. - You said you left the door unlocked, hmm? - She hmmed over the proposal before signing it. ## Synonyms - hm - huh ## Derived Forms - hmming ## Related Forms - hum - murmur - hesitation ## Etymology Imitative of a closed-mouth humming sound. Its spelling represents a vocal gesture rather than a word inherited from an older lexical root. ## Topics - Communication markdown