Definition um
Etymology 1
Onomatopoeic.
Interjection
um
- Expression of hesitation, uncertainty or space filler in conversation. See uh.
- (chiefly US) Dated spelling of mmm.
Verb
um (third-person singular simple present ums, present participle umming, simple past and past participle ummed)
- (intransitive) To make the um sound to express uncertainty or hesitancy.
Etymology 2
From Middle English um, from Old Norse um, umb (“around, about”), from Proto-Germanic *umbi (“around”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂m̥bʰi (“round about, around”). Cognate with Old English ymbe (“around”), West Frisian om (“around”), Dutch om (“around”), German um (“around”). More at umbe.
Preposition
um
- Alternative form of umbe
Etymology 3
A Latin-script rendering of µm.
Noun
um (plural um)
- Alternative spelling of µm
Etymology 4
Particle
um
- (dated, sometimes humorous, often offensive) An undifferentiated determiner or article; a miscellaneous linking word, or filler with nonspecific meaning; representation of broken English stereotypically or comically attributed to Native Americans.