ahem
Americaninterjection
interjection
Explanation
Use the interjection ahem when you want to get someone's attention in a low-key way. If a class is being noisy, the teacher may say, "Ahem, class. Let's turn our attention to the periodic table of the elements now." Ahem mimics the sound of a person clearing their throat, so you can use it any time you might naturally do some throat-clearing. In addition to getting attention, saying ahem can also express disapproval, embarrassment, or hesitation. If your overhear your friends talking about you, you might say, "Ahem. I'm standing right here."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the further I traveled with the crew at the heart of “It Ends,” the more blown away I was by the deceptively, ahem, straightforward themes Ullom chips away at.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026
And those members of the administration’s extended circle who are, ahem, free to trade.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
And, ahem, regular readers of Markets A.M. will recall lots of hand-wringing about tech stocks when prices were lower.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026
Water services are different, because the 'switch for a better deal' advice simply doesn't, ahem, hold water.
From BBC ● Apr. 1, 2025
“Would you, ahem, would you please wait until seven p.m., to allow me to apprise my corporate headquarters of recent developments?”
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
