Ahem
interjection
A sound or word used to get attention or express hesitation or doubt.
Ahem, I believe you forgot something.
Often appears as...
- ahem
- i believe
interjection
A sound expressing disapproval or to mention something without saying it explicitly.
He said the project was almost done, and she said, 'Ahem' to signal that it was far from completion.
Often appears as...
- 'ahem
- ' he said
interjection
A sound or word used to get attention or express hesitation or doubt.
Ahem, I believe you forgot something.
Often appears as...
- ahem
- i believe
interjection
A sound expressing disapproval or to mention something without saying it explicitly.
He said the project was almost done, and she said, 'Ahem' to signal that it was far from completion.
Often appears as...
- 'ahem
- ' he said
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Getting Attention
Use 'ahem' to subtly interrupt or signal you want to speak without being rude.
Ahem, may I add a point?
Pro Tip 2/3Hesitation Cue
'Ahem' can express uncertainty or pause for thought before continuing a statement.
Ahem, well, I'm not quite sure.
Pro Tip 3/3Polite Reminder
Use 'ahem' as a polite prompt if someone has overlooked something.
Ahem, the meeting starts at 9, right?
Pro Tip 1/3Getting Attention
Use 'ahem' to subtly interrupt or signal you want to speak without being rude.
Ahem, may I add a point?
Pro Tip 2/3Hesitation Cue
'Ahem' can express uncertainty or pause for thought before continuing a statement.
Ahem, well, I'm not quite sure.
Pro Tip 3/3Polite Reminder
Use 'ahem' as a polite prompt if someone has overlooked something.
Ahem, the meeting starts at 9, right?
Pro Tip 1/3Getting Attention
Use 'ahem' to subtly interrupt or signal you want to speak without being rude.
Ahem, may I add a point?
Pro Tip 2/3Hesitation Cue
'Ahem' can express uncertainty or pause for thought before continuing a statement.
Ahem, well, I'm not quite sure.
Pro Tip 3/3Polite Reminder
Use 'ahem' as a polite prompt if someone has overlooked something.
Ahem, the meeting starts at 9, right?
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Video examples
Porcupine vs. Lion PIPE...
this porcupine has to walk through a pride of adult lions they're interested but once again those quills give the porcupine the equivalent of an impenetrable missile defense shield ahem and this pride of lions doesn't have much to be proud about today
Video examples
John McWhorter: Txtng is...
it was common when one gave a speech to basically talk like writing. So I mean the kind of speech that you see someone giving in an old movie where they clear their throat, and they go, "Ahem, ladies and gentlemen," and then they speak
Video examples
History vs. Che Guevara...
But was Che Guevara a heroic champion of the poor or a ruthless warlord who left a legacy of repression? Order, order. Hey, where have I seen that guy before? Ahem, your Honor, this is Ernesto Che Guevara.
Video examples
Porcupine vs. Lion PIPE...
this porcupine has to walk through a pride of adult lions they're interested but once again those quills give the porcupine the equivalent of an impenetrable missile defense shield ahem and this pride of lions doesn't have much to be proud about today
Video examples
John McWhorter: Txtng is...
it was common when one gave a speech to basically talk like writing. So I mean the kind of speech that you see someone giving in an old movie where they clear their throat, and they go, "Ahem, ladies and gentlemen," and then they speak
Video examples
History vs. Che Guevara...
But was Che Guevara a heroic champion of the poor or a ruthless warlord who left a legacy of repression? Order, order. Hey, where have I seen that guy before? Ahem, your Honor, this is Ernesto Che Guevara.
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Andrew Gross
American Author
Eyes Wide Open' took shape from two real life events straight from my own past. One was the sad suicide of my young nephew, a troubled kid, who was found at the bottom of a landmark cliff in central California. The second was a chance encounter forty years ago with none other than, ahem, Charles Manson!
Quote examples
Jen Sincero
American Author
This is part of what makes me, ahem, an excellent houseguest: I'm game. I'm flexible. I'll make you feel okay about eating an entire chocolate cake in one sitting because I'm right there by your side with my own fork.
Quote examples
Sophie Kinsella
American Author
I had no plans to be a writer. My teenaged bid for stardom was to be a pop star... which, ahem, didn't exactly work out.
Quote examples
Andrew Gross
American Author
Eyes Wide Open' took shape from two real life events straight from my own past. One was the sad suicide of my young nephew, a troubled kid, who was found at the bottom of a landmark cliff in central California. The second was a chance encounter forty years ago with none other than, ahem, Charles Manson!
Quote examples
Jen Sincero
American Author
This is part of what makes me, ahem, an excellent houseguest: I'm game. I'm flexible. I'll make you feel okay about eating an entire chocolate cake in one sitting because I'm right there by your side with my own fork.
Quote examples
Sophie Kinsella
American Author
I had no plans to be a writer. My teenaged bid for stardom was to be a pop star... which, ahem, didn't exactly work out.
Example 1 of 3
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