mmm

English

Etymology

Onomatopoeia

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [m̩ː]

• Audio (Received Pronunciation):

  (file)

• Audio (General American):

  (file)

Interjection

mmm

1. (onomatopoeia) An emotional expression of contentment

   Mmm, this is a tasty pie!

2. (onomatopoeia) An expression used to show thought or reflection

   Mmm, I see what you mean.

   • 2014 May 11, Ivan Hewett, “Piano Man: a Life of John Ogdon by Charles Beauclerk, review: A new biography of the great British pianist whose own genius destroyed him [print version: A colossus off-key, 10 May 2014, p. R27]”, in The Daily Telegraph (Review)‎^[1]:

     In his final years he [John Ogdon] gave an interview to an American journalist who noticed that “his handshake is a boneless fadeaway. His response to a lengthy anecdote from a close friend is likely to range from a non-committal ‘Mmmmmmm’ to a rare ‘Very interesting’.”

3. (onomatopoeia) Used to represent an utterance that is muffled or spoken with a full mouth (also spelled "mmph").
4. (UK) Yes.
   • 1987, Withnail and I:

     Danny: Have you got any food?
     I: Mmm! As a matter of fact, got a saveloy.

Usage notes

• Additional ms may be added to suggest a longer sound.

Translations

expression used for contentment

• Dutch: mmm (nl)
• Hungarian: mmm
• Swedish: mmm (sv)

hmm — see hmm

See also

• hmm

Luganda

Etymology

Onomatopoeia.

Interjection

mmm

1. Used to signify that one is listening and understands

Synonyms

• eee

References

The Essentials of Luganda, J. D. Chesswas, 4th edition. Oxford University Press: Nairobi. 1967, p. 152.

Portuguese

Interjection

mmm

1. Alternative form of hm