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interjection Uncommon

erm

urm

Erm (interjection) means a filler sound used when hesitating or thinking of what to say next. Example: “Erm, I'm not really sure," she admitted.”

interjection
1
A filler sound used when hesitating or thinking of what to say next.
""Erm, I'm not really sure," she admitted."
2
Used to express mild embarrassment or polite disagreement.
""Erm, that's not quite what I meant.""

How to Use Erm

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA written way of representing the sound people make when they pause to think, similar to "um" or "uh."

When to use it

Informal — used in speech and casual writing, not formal writing.

Easily confused with
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Fill the Gap

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"_____, I'm not really sure," she admitted.

Etymology

An imitative (onomatopoeic) spelling of a natural hesitation sound.

Rhymes for erm

See all rhymes for erm →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “erm” mean?

The word “erm” means a filler sound used when hesitating or thinking of what to say next. In plain terms, a written way of representing the sound people make when they pause to think, similar to "um" or "uh.".

How do you pronounce “erm”?

“Erm” is pronounced urm (/ɝm/ in IPA).

How do you use “erm” in a sentence?

Here is “erm” used in a sentence: “"Erm, I'm not really sure," she admitted.”

What part of speech is “erm”?

“Erm” is an interjection.

Is “erm” a common word?

“Erm” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “erm” have?

“Erm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a filler sound used when hesitating or thinking of what to say next.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial