Hmm
/həm/noun
An interjection expressing hesitation, thought, doubt, skepticism, or mild dissatisfaction.
Did you know?Unlike most English words, “hmm” has no securely traceable ancient root; linguists generally classify it as an expressive or imitative vocalization whose spelling became standardized in writing.
Etymological Timeline
Prehistoric speech
Human vocalization
*hmm
“A reconstructed or hypothetical thinking sound; not a securely documented written form”
Middle English
English
hem
“An interjection used to attract attention or express hesitation, often representing a throat-clearing sound”
16th Century
English
hem
“A written representation of a throat sound used to signal attention or hesitation”
18th Century
English
h'm
“A shortened written form indicating hesitation, doubt, or reflective thought”
19th Century
English
hmm
“An increasingly common spelling of the thoughtful or skeptical vocalization”
Modern English
English
hmm
“A conversational interjection signaling thought, uncertainty, doubt, or evaluation”