um

interjection

a prolonged

m 

sound

əm

—used to indicate hesitation

well, um, I don't know

Examples of um in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just like when personal computers came out, but there’s a fantastic book by um, George Lakoff and Rafael Núñez about math and where ideas in math come from, via metaphors. — Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026

Como é bonito ver que não temos de tomar decisões partindo de um ponto de vista limitado, e, em vez disso, podemos confiar mais em Deus, que sabe tudo e cuida sem falha de todos nós, por sermos Suas ideias realmente boas. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

On general principles, Harley trikes have also always been … um, kinda lively in their altogether unique what-passes-for-handling department. — New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Early tests suggest that the gadusol has antioxidant properties as well, kind of like vitamin C, so this could help neutralize some of those damaging free radicals that are, um, caused by sun exposure. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing um

• no-see-um

Rhymes for um

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• from
• frum
• glum
• gum

Kids Definition

um

interjection

a prolonged

m 

sound, əm

—used to express hesitation

well, um, I don't know