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Synonyms

um

American  
[uhm, uhn, uhm, uhn] / ʌm, ʌ̃, əm, ə̃ /
Or umm

interjection

  1. (used as an expression of doubt, hesitation, deliberation, interest, etc.)

um 1 British  
/ ʌm, əm /

interjection

  1. a representation of a common sound made when hesitating in speech

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
um 2 British  

abbreviation

  1. US Minor Outlying Islands

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“My passion in leading is making sure that I’m preserving um the legacy of my grandparents and my family,” Snyder-Ellingson said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

"Um, it's hard to explain. Um, um, uh, a world tour. I'm Justin Timberlake," the star says.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

But let’s say you’re having date-night with your car, and you want to make it feel, um, pretty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Today: The number claiming Social Security is … um … 70.2 million.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

“I thought I knew what I wanted, but lately things have gotten, um, complicated.”

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.