harrumph
[ huh-ruhmf ]
/ həˈrʌmf /
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verb (used without object)
to clear the throat audibly in a self-important manner: The professor harrumphed good-naturedly.
to express oneself gruffly.
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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Origin of harrumph
First recorded in 1935–40; imitative
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use harrumph in a sentence
“The most dangerous men are those who are in charge of war,” he harrumphed.
The Phoenix harrumphed several times in its throat and shuffled its feet.
David and the Phoenix|Edward OrmondroydShe harrumphed a bit, as suspicious as she usually is, and I went to the stove for more coffee.
Cue for Quiet|Thomas L. Sherred
British Dictionary definitions for harrumph
harrumph
/ (həˈrʌmf) /
verb
(intr) to clear or make the noise of clearing the throat
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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