ahem

AI In plain words

Writing a short explanation…

Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.

Rhymes with -ɛm

Onomatopoeic.

onomatopoeic The sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat.
Demanding attention. Ahem! Could we please get started?
Expresses disapproval or annoyance. Ahem! In case you didn't notice, I did my share of the work, too.
Indicates subtle sarcasm, polite lying, or euphemism. I really (ahem!) liked the chocolate broccoli surprise.
Indicates an unintentional or inappropriate pun. The tone of Fat is casual and ahem, digestible, while also providing a succinct and significant overview of fatness and some of the issues most relevant to the burgeoning field of fat studies.

To cough or clear one's throat so as to draw attention. He wouldn't have been suspected of crying for the world, but he coughed and ahemmed, and finally turned away without speaking.