Examples of um in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Janssen-Lauret: Someone called, um, Shen wrote a paper about this and said no scheme in logic is more beautiful than that put forward by Dr. Ladd-Franklin.
—
The Lost Women Of Science Initiative, Scientific American, 30 Nov. 2023
Luhrmann collaborated with up-and-coming, um, aboriginal, and First Nation pop artists to incorporate their music as a form of honoring the aboriginal tradition of storytelling through song.
—Concetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2023
That this one has two zones (for reds and whites) is a nice bonus for all my, um, quick turnaround wine.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 27 Nov. 2023
Its cast is a healthy mix of sympathetic heroes (the kidney donor, the mother-son duo) and obvious villains (the arrogant bro who compares his competitive streak to, um, Jesus Christ’s).
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
Sheer skin tints and lip oils are making room for some richer textures to shine (or, um, not—as the case may be).
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2023
Everyone has different opinions on curses, um, and black magic or dark magic.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2023
Before Lively founded Betty Buzz in 2021, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, already had a gin brand, and Lively synergistically promoted both Aviation Gin and A Simple Favor in this memorable Instagram post, which finds her, in character as Emily, um, dominating a naked man who is holding a martini.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 21 Nov. 2023
And, um, pro tip, keep your dish towel away from the flame.
—The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 3 Nov. 2023
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The Lost Women Of Science Initiative, Scientific American, 30 Nov. 2023
Luhrmann collaborated with up-and-coming, um, aboriginal, and First Nation pop artists to incorporate their music as a form of honoring the aboriginal tradition of storytelling through song.
—Concetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2023
That this one has two zones (for reds and whites) is a nice bonus for all my, um, quick turnaround wine.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 27 Nov. 2023
Its cast is a healthy mix of sympathetic heroes (the kidney donor, the mother-son duo) and obvious villains (the arrogant bro who compares his competitive streak to, um, Jesus Christ’s).
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
Sheer skin tints and lip oils are making room for some richer textures to shine (or, um, not—as the case may be).
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2023
Everyone has different opinions on curses, um, and black magic or dark magic.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2023
Before Lively founded Betty Buzz in 2021, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, already had a gin brand, and Lively synergistically promoted both Aviation Gin and A Simple Favor in this memorable Instagram post, which finds her, in character as Emily, um, dominating a naked man who is holding a martini.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 21 Nov. 2023
And, um, pro tip, keep your dish towel away from the flame.
—The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 3 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'um.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1672, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing um
Articles Related to um
Dictionary Entries Near um
Cite this Entry
“Um.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/um. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
um
interjectiona prolonged
m 
sound, əm
—used to express hesitation
well, um, I don't know
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