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.""
"– Bob would never say something like that! – Erm, he just did."
"Erm, I don't think that was supposed to happen."
How to use erm
Learner’s notesIn 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.
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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.
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