English · Word Candidate

hmm

/hm̩/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: hmms · hmming · hmmed

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Indicates thinking or pondering.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Được sử dụng khi đang suy nghĩ hoặc ngẫm nghĩ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Interjection

Hmm... that's an interesting idea.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Indicates surprise or cluelessness; especially a response by a person who is questioned or addressed when not expecting it.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Được sử dụng khi ngạc nhiên hoặc không biết

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Interjection

"You there! Where are you going?" "Hmm? Oh, I just need to get a drink."

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To make a thoughtful humming noise.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Tiếng ồn có âm thanh giống như tiếng humming

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “hmm” mean?

Indicates thinking or pondering.

Is “hmm” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.