interjection
humph
hmf
Humph (interjection) means a grunted sound made to show annoyance, doubt, or disapproval. Example: “Humph," she muttered, crossing her arms after losing the argument.”
interjection
1
A grunted sound made to show annoyance, doubt, or disapproval.
"And you all sure are some crazy folks, I swear! Dragging me out of my house in this cold. Humph! Just being with you crazy children is too much."
— Melvin Dixon, The Boy with Beer (1986)
""Humph," she muttered, crossing her arms after losing the argument."
How to use humph
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA grumpy little grunt you make instead of words when you're annoyed or unconvinced.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- humphs
- Past tense
- humphed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
"_____," she muttered, crossing her arms after losing the argument.
Etymology
A natural grunt-like exclamation first recorded in the 1500s.
Class of 1500
humph joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Rhymes for humph
See all rhymes for humph →Frequently asked questions
What does “humph” mean?
The word “humph” means a grunted sound made to show annoyance, doubt, or disapproval. In plain terms, a grumpy little grunt you make instead of words when you're annoyed or unconvinced.
How do you pronounce “humph”?
“Humph” is pronounced hmf (/h(ʌ)mf/ in IPA).
How do you use “humph” in a sentence?
Here is “humph” used in a sentence: “"Humph," she muttered, crossing her arms after losing the argument.”
What part of speech is “humph”?
“Humph” is an interjection.
Where does the word “humph” come from?
The word “humph” dates back to around 1500. A natural grunt-like exclamation first recorded in the 1500s.
