em-

¹

1. variant of en- ¹ before b, p, and sometimes m:

   embalm.

em-

²

1. variant of en- ² before b, m, p, ph:

   embolism, emphasis.

em

³

[ em ]

noun

, plural ems.

1. the letter M, m.
2. Also called mut, mutton. Printing.
   1. the square of any size of type used as the unit of measurement for matter printed in that type size.
   2. (originally) the portion of a line of type occupied by the letter M in type of the same size.
3. em pica.

adjective

1. Printing. having the area of an em quad or the length of an em dash.

'em

⁴

[ uhm ]

pronoun

, Informal.

1. them:

   Put 'em down there.

Em

⁵

Symbol, Physical Chemistry.

1. emanation ( def 3 ).

EM

⁶

abbreviation for

1. electromagnetic.
2. electromotive.
3. electronic mail.
4. electron microscope; electron microscopy.
5. end matched.
6. Engineer of Mines.
7. enlisted man; enlisted men.

E.M.

⁷

abbreviation for

1. Earl Marshal.
2. Engineer of Mines.

em

¹

/ ɛm /

noun

1. Also calledmuttonmut the square of a body of any size of type, used as a unit of measurement
2. Also calledpica empica a unit of measurement used in printing, equal to one sixth of an inch

em-

²

prefix

1. before b, m, and p, a variant of en- 1 en- 2

'em

³

/ əm /

pronoun

1. an informal variant of them

Word History and Origins

Origin of em-¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Origin of em-²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English hem, Old English heom, dative and accusative plural of he ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of em-¹

C19: from the name of the letter M

Example Sentences

The “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” hitmaker has joined forces with the streamer to deliver its first-ever NFL Christmas game live show during the second of the NFL games scheduled for this year’s holiday.

From Los Angeles Times

It is nominated for Album of the Year at 2025's Grammy Awards, where Beyoncé's up for a further 10 trophies including best country album and song of the year for Texas Hold 'Em.

From BBC

She released singles Texas Hold 'Em and 16 Carriages immediately after appearing in an advert during the game, and dropped Cowboy Carter in March.

From BBC

Lines about preserving sanity in the glare of fame were jarring but considered — “We was screamin’, ‘Mental health,’ and now we wanna kill ‘em all / Lord, please forgive me for the day I finally fall apart.”

From Los Angeles Times

Her response: “What’s the rap verse? ‘F— the police, that’s how I see ‘em,’” which she told me was a garbling of lyrics by N.W.A, Kanye West and Rage Against the Machine.

From Los Angeles Times