# umm

/ˈəm/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/umm
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. thinking or hesitating

interjection · CEFR A1 · Informal

you say this when you are thinking, hesitating, or not sure how to answer a question.

For teachers: a hesitation marker used to fill a pause in conversation while the speaker considers their next words.

- Umm, I think the meeting starts at three, but let me check my calendar.
- Umm, I am not entirely certain that the data supports such a broad conclusion without further verification.

Usage: Usually placed at the start of a sentence or during a pause in speech.

### 2. to hesitate in speech

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to make sounds like 'umm' because you are nervous or unsure of what to say.

For teachers: to utter hesitation noises while speaking; often paired with 'ah' in the phrase 'umm and ah'.

- He started to umm and ah when the teacher asked him for the answer.
- The witness began to umm and stall when pressed for specific details regarding his whereabouts on the night in question.

Usage: Often used in the continuous form or as part of the idiom 'to umm and ah'.

## Examples

- Umm, I am not sure about that.
- She paused for a moment, saying 'umm' before answering the difficult question.
- The politician's frequent use of 'umm' during the debate undermined his projected authority and suggested a lack of preparation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.