ahem

interjection

a throat-​clearing sound; often read as
ə-ˈhem How to pronounce ahem (audio)
used especially to attract attention or to express disapproval or embarrassment

Examples of ahem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Something that did not make the final cut is, ahem, some possible affection Stefano has for Raq. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025 This year’s Oscars were different in some ways though, bringing with them controversy for one of the films and its cast (ahem Emilia Pérez ahem), some historic nominations and wins, and an emphasis on why the Oscars matter. Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 3 Mar. 2025 And the show’s jittery surrealism feels more evocative of contemporary paranoia than the flawed realism of so many recent thrillers (ahem, Zero Day, ahem). Judy Berman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025 Welcome to the first, ahem, serving of Whole-Hog Politics, a weekly note that aims to give you a quick and useful overview of the political scene. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ahem

Word History

Etymology

imitative

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ahem was in 1603

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Cite this Entry

“Ahem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ahem. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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