# hem

> English word · Interjection · IPA /hɛm/ · frequency rank #21,236

## Definitions
1. Used to fill in the gap of a pause with a vocalized sound.

## Etymology
A sound uttered in imitation of clearing the throat (onomatopoeia)

## Easily confused with
- **hi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hi)
- **ho** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-ho)
- **HR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hr)
- **HP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hp)
- **hm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hm)
- **HQ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hq)
- **Hu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hu)
- **HK** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hk)
- **HG** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hg)
- **HH** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hh)
- **hv** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hv)
- **hn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hn)
- **his** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-his)
- **her** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-her)
- **how** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-how)
- **him** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-him)
- **hit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hit)
- **hot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hot)
- **hey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hey)
- **hip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-hip)

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