um

interjection

a prolonged sound
How to pronounce um (audio)
əm
used to indicate hesitation
well, um, I don't know

Examples of um 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.
No word on whether the toothpaste is equally, um, filling. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025 Nineteen is certainly a lot lower than 42, but, um, 19 over the course of 94 episodes of television is not exactly and insubstantial amount. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025 Out came Baldelli to, um, discuss the matter with Lentz, and that led to the ejection. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025 Unsurprisingly, the live performance team was the...um...liveliest in showing how some of the vibrant shows and Disney character interactions take place across the parks. Devonne Goode, Parents, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for um

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of um was in 1672

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Um.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/um. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

um

interjection
a prolonged
How to pronounce um (audio)
 sound,  əm
used to express hesitation
well, um, I don't know
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!