humph

1 of 2

interjection

 a snort articulated as a syllabic  m,
 or  n,
 with a voiceless onset and ending in a nasal  or a glottal stop h;
often read as
ˈhəm(p)f How to pronounce humph (audio)
used to express doubt or contempt

humph

2 of 2

verb

humphed; humphing; humphs

intransitive verb

: to utter a humph

transitive verb

: to utter (something, such as a remark) in a tone suggestive of a humph

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

imitative of a grunt

First Known Use

Interjection

1803, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1814, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of humph was in 1803

Dictionary Entries Near humph

Cite this Entry

“Humph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humph. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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