# hmm

> English word · Interjection · IPA /hm̩/ · frequency rank #5,972

## Definitions
1. Indicates thinking or pondering.
2. Indicates surprise or cluelessness; especially a response by a person who is questioned or addressed when not expecting it.
3. A demand for an answer to a question.

## Etymology
See hum.

## Easily confused with
- **ho** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-ho)
- **HR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hr)
- **HP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hp)
- **HQ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hq)
- **Hu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hu)
- **hv** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hv)
- **hn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hn)
- **how** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-how)
- **hot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hot)
- **hop** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hop)
- **huh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-huh)
- **hug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hug)
- **hub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hub)
- **hon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hon)
- **hut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hut)
- **hum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hum)
- **hog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hog)
- **hue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hue)
- **HMS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hms)
- **hoo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hmm-vs-hoo)

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