# ahem vs atom

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### ahem
*intj · IPA /əˈhɛm/ · frequency rank #20,828*
The sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat.

### atom
*noun · IPA /ˈætəm/ · frequency rank #10,813*
The smallest possible amount of matter which still retains its identity as a chemical element, now known to consist of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ahem-vs-atom