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

He could, as a fallback, partner well with Big Squish-Em, Dis-Em Chris.

From The Daily Beast

If only Tupac was alive to see one of our finest actresses shakin’ what her mama gave her to “Hit ‘Em Up.”

From The Daily Beast

I do feel for ‘em, but you can’t take some down here and there.

From The Daily Beast

You’d get in a fight with somebody at a bar and it was totally cool to walk out and shoot ‘em.

From The Daily Beast

You tell ‘em this in New York: Not never no cover at Benny’s!

From The Daily Beast

The sick allers ez took care on among them, they sed, 's long uz enny on em hez got a thing left.

From Project Gutenberg

There are three there, Bill, with a jolly large blue unicorn and a gold pitchfork on em, which is the old ladys arms.

From Project Gutenberg

Coals!what would he do with coals?Toast his cheese with em, and then come back for more.

From Project Gutenberg

Theres too many of em trying to keep their hands clean, an livin above their means.

From Project Gutenberg

And all the fal-lals and di-does they larn em in high school now doesnt amount to a row of pins in practical life.

From Project Gutenberg