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English dictionary

ahem Meaning & Definition

/əˈhɛm/

What Does Ahem Mean?

Ahem is used as an interjection meaning The sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat. It is also used to mean Demands attention. As a verb, it means To cough or clear one's throat so as to draw attention. As a noun, it means A use of the interjection, ahem.

Quick Facts About Ahem

Part of speechinterjection, verb, noun
Pronunciation/əˈhɛm/
Verb formsahems, ahemming, ahemmed

Ahem Definition (Interjection)

  1. The sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat.
  2. Demands attention.

    Ahem! Could we please get started?

  3. Expresses disapproval or annoyance.

    Ahem! In case you didn't notice, I did my share of the work, too.

  4. 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. Indicates subtle sarcasm, polite lying, or euphemism.

    I really (ahem!) liked the chocolate broccoli surprise.

  5. Indicates subtle sarcasm, polite lying, or euphemism.

    I really (ahem!) liked the chocolate broccoli surprise.

  6. Indicates an unintentional or inappropriate pun.

Ahem as a Verb

  1. To cough or clear one's throat so as to draw attention.

Ahem as a Noun

  1. A use of the interjection, ahem.

Interjection

  1. An exclamation or cough to get attention

    Ahem! Could we please get started?

  2. An exclamation of disapproval or annoyance

    Ahem! In case you didn't notice, I did my share, too.

  3. An exclamation to indicate sarcasm

    I really (ahem!) liked the chocolate broccoli surprise.

Synonyms of Ahem

The source does not list synonyms for this entry.

Ahem synonyms and antonyms →

Ahem in a Sentence

Ahem! Could we please get started?

Ahem! In case you didn't notice, I did my share of the work, too.

I really (ahem!) liked the chocolate broccoli surprise.

Ahem! In case you didn't notice, I did my share, too.

Word Forms & Grammar

ahem

ahem (third-person singular simple present ahems, present participle ahemming, simple past and past participle ahemmed)

Origin of Ahem

Onomatopoeic.[1]